Timothy Francis Sheehan

Timothy Francis Sheehan, 77, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 22, 2021.  Tim was born March 12, 1943, in Terre Haute, Indiana to Francis T. Sheehan and Nelda Goodwin Sheehan.  He grew up and lived in Terre Haute until he and his wife, Lucy, moved to Fishers, Indiana to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. He was a member of St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church in Fishers, Indiana.

In his youth, Tim attended St. Ann’s Catholic School and graduated from Schulte High School in 1961.  From there he graduated from Indiana State University where he studied elementary education earning a B.S., M.S., and a Sixth Year.

Tim spent 42 years educating elementary age children in the Vigo County School Corporation.  He began his teaching career at Fayette Elementary School where he was a 5th and 6th grade teacher and then at Dixie Bee Elementary where he also taught 5th grade until he was named principal of Dixie Bee in 1996.  During his tenure at Dixie Bee, the school was named a National Blue Ribbon School as well as a Four Star School.  He remained principal until his retirement in 2008.  He then took over the position of Vigo Co. Surveyor, completing the term of his late brother Michael P. Sheehan.

In addition to being a life-long Democrat, Tim served on a variety of boards and committees during his career and won several awards including Salute to Leadership from the U.S. Department of Education in 2005, the Junior Achievement of the Wabash Valley Educator of the Year in 2006 and the Indiana Department of Education Bellringer Award in 2008.

Tim was an avid sports fan.  He loved watching basketball, Indy Car racing and especially his Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.  He was also the first to arrive to watch his grandchildren in all of their sporting activities and school programs.

Tim was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lucy W. Sheehan; daughter, Erin K. Downey (husband Patrick) of Westfield, IN; 2 grandchildren, Kate Downey and Colin Downey;  sister-in-law, Frances Palmer of Fishers, IN; brother-in-law, Danny Morris of Terre Haute; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Nelda Sheehan; brothers, Patrick and Michael Sheehan and sister, Janice Sheehan Morris.

The family would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and social workers at IU North Hospital and to Heart to Heart Hospice Care including a special thank you to Kelly, Katina and Whitney who took wonderful care of him in the end.

Due to state restrictions regarding COVID-19, the family will have a Mass at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, 111 South 9 ^th Street, with Father Martin Day, OFM Conv. officiating.  The Mass will be “live streamed” at 12:05 PM, Wednesday, January 27 ^th , and can be viewed by visiting www.callahanandhughes.com website and clicking on the “Live Streams” button at the top of the homepage.  A graveside service will follow at Calvary Cemetery at approximately 1:15 PM where friends are invited to attend and visit with the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vigo County Education Foundation, 686 Wabash Ave., P.O. Box 3703, Terre Haute, IN 47803;  Dixie Bee Elementary School, 1655 E. Jessica Dr., Terre Haute, IN 47802 or the American Cancer Society, 5635 W. 96 ^th St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278.  Funeral information and tributes may be found at www.callahanandhughes.com .