History & Staff

Jonathan R. "Jon" Sheetz is the son of Mary H. and the late Gerald R. Sheetz. He is married to Donna McNamara Sheetz; together they have three sons, Peter, Stephen and James, and reside in Mount Joy.

Jon was raised in the current funeral home location and made his entry into funeral service at the age of 14 when he volunteered to assist his father on New Year’s Eve. He is a 1977 graduate of Donegal High School and is a 1985 graduate of Boston College. In 1986, he received an Associate in Funeral Service from the New England Institute, Boston and was licensed in Pennsylvania in 1987.

Jon brings extensive experience in funeral service, having worked for funeral homes during his high school years, as well as in Boston and Lancaster prior to joining his father in 1986. He is proud to be the fourth generation of Sheetz family members to be involved in an industry providing personal services in a time of need. He is steadfast on his belief that “Support” after the funeral is just as important as the support given during the time of the services. His belief in the Family Advocacy (Support) Program at the Sheetz Funeral Home has greatly influenced the meaning of Full Service Funeral Home. The program is under the guidance of Joan Rutt, a very capable counselor whose reputation as a “family advocate” has made her an integral part of the Sheetz Funeral Home staff.

Jon is steadfast in his values of keeping the wishes of the family members first in mind. A conservative minded individual himself, Jon believes in keeping funeral costs as affordable as possible. Each service is independent of the other due to itemization of changes. Costs can be managed with minor charges, which he will openly suggest and share with clients.

“In funeral service today, “Service” in conjunction with the support and assistance the funeral home can return to the community it serves, is paramount to the success of that business.”

He is an ardent fly fisher and enjoys family time with his sons, siblings and in-laws.

Andrew “Andy” Dieck grew up in Mountville. He is a 2002 graduate of Hempfield High School and a 2005 graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Andy finished his college degree at Point Park University in Pittsburgh and currently resides in Mount Joy with his wife, Carolyn and their daughters Charlotte, Hannah and Laney. Andy is a member of the Mount Joy Rotary Club and the Lancaster Liederkranz. He enjoys playing golf and watching Penn State Football. Andy has been a licensed funeral director since 2007 and joined the Sheetz Funeral Home in 2011.

Chad was born in Lancaster County, PA but grew up in the Hampton Roads Area of Virginia. He graduated from Windsor High School, in Windsor VA in 2011. After beginning his Funeral Studies at Tidewater Community College in Norfolk, VA, he relocated to Pennsylvania in July of 2014. He completed his studies at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 2016 with an Associate’s Degree in Specialized Technology. Chad is married to Elizabeth and with their daughter, they reside in Mount Joy.

Joan is a resident of Landisville having moved to Lancaster County in 1970 following graduation from Polyclinic Hospital’s School of Nursing in Harrisburg. During her career, Joan practiced as an R.N. before taking a position with M&M, Mars now Mars Chocolate, North America as an Occupational Health Nurse. She held various positions in Human Resources including an 8 month period in Recife, Brazil. Joan retired from Mars Elizabethtown in 1999 as the head of the Personnel Department. Joan’s support to families has received numerous compliments from families served by the Sheetz Funeral Home as well as others who have been referred her. Her support is available to any individuals who are in need of guidance at a stressful time. The program, under Joan’s guidance has led to her reputation as a “family advocate” and made her an integral part of the Sheetz Funeral Home staff. Her program stands alone in the fact that Joan is “hands on” and is committed to seeing every family we serve. She is a leader in support and family advocacy and we are honored to have her on our team.

Mary Sheetz Lynam is the daughter of Gerald R. (late) and Mary H. Sheetz. Mary grew up in the family funeral home with her two sisters, Jessica, Judy, and her two brothers Jonathan and Christopher. Her mother and father taught her great empathy for the families who were grieving the loss of a family member. They modeled compassion and built a heightened awareness of human suffering. Mary is a graduate of Donegal High School, Cabrini University, Radnor PA. She received her master’s degree in counseling from Millersville University, Millersville, PA. After teaching in the Donegal School District for eight years, she felt inspired to enter the field of childhood counseling. She served as a school counselor for the Donegal School District for thirty-two years and retired in June of 2019. She currently assists with funeral services at the Sheetz Funeral Home. She is proud to be involved with the family business. She currently resides with her husband Mark Lynam in Mount Joy and together they have two sons, Andrew, Ian, and a daughter Mary. She attends Mary Mother of the Church in Mount Joy, PA. Hobbies include going to the beach, traveling, antiquing, and spending time with her family.

Nancy grew up in Mount Joy (Florin). She graduated from Donegal High School class of 1969. Nancy retired from Armstrong World Industries after 38 years of service. Her and her husband Richard “Rick” reside in Mount Joy. Nancy is a member of Glossbrenner United Methodist Church and spends time volunteering with New Life for Girls in Dover, Lancaster and Glen Rock as well as Ronald McDonald House in Hershey.

Marcia is a lifelong resident of Mount Joy, PA. She has three children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. For 67 years, she has been a member of St. Mark’s church serving as a volunteer director of the servers at our monthly dinners. For the past 25 years, she has been actively involved in volunteering at Mount Joy Helping Services. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time at Cape May, NJ.

Don was born and raised in Indiana, PA. He graduated from Indiana High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). He continued his education at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in 1973. He earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Luther Rice Theological Seminary (FL) in 1978. He served Presbyterian (PCUSA) churches in Youngwood, Mount Pleasant, New Brighton, Harrisburg, and Dayton, all in Pennsylvania, and Salisbury, Maryland. He retired in 2015 and with his wife, Lynn, moved to Mount Joy to be closer to their 4 children and 7 grandchildren. Don enjoys antique cars and enjoys showing his 1941 Buicks at car shows. He is a member of the Ashara-Casiphia Masonic Lodge No. 551 in Mount Joy, PA. Don and Lynn attend First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster. Don has happily been associated with the Sheetz Funeral Home since November 2016.

Vaugn and Deborah reside in Elizabethtown, living in the same home for 40 years. They are fifty-plus year members of Glossbrenner United Methodist Church and both are actively involved in the life of the church. Vaughn retired from Strausser Surveying and Engineering, Inc. after 41 ½ years of service, as a Registered Surveyor and later as a partner in the company. Debbie is retired from the Donegal School District with 31 ½ years of service where she worked in the Administration Office. They have one son, Matthew Darren, who in December 2010 at the age of 34, was called home to live with his Heavenly Father. They are blessed with two grandchildren, Zachery Bradford and Isabella Faith. In July 2015, they celebrated 44 years of marriage. Vaughn enjoys reading, target shooting and instructing juniors in proper rifle etiquette. Debbie enjoys landscaping, walking and being out-of-doors with God’s creation. Together, they enjoy bicycling, hunting, fishing and spending time in Potter County. Because of their passion to care for others and to be of service, they began part-time work with the Sheetz Funeral Home “family” in 2010.

Ryan is a resident of Campbelltown, Lebanon County. He is presently employed as a 7th grade English teacher in the Cornwall Lebanon School District and as the Worship Arts Coordinator at West Green Tree Church of the Brethren in Elizabethtown. Ryan is well known in the Lebanon/Lancaster county area for playing the piano. Ryan has played piano and organ for over 150 funerals for local churches, funeral homes and families when a musician is needed. In addition, Ryan is a licensed minister in the Church of the Brethren. In his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time camping at his seasonal campsite at Camp Swatara in Bethel, PA.

Born in Rheems, Pa, lived most of my life in Mount Joy. Charlie is married to Joyce and they have 2 Daughters. He retired from the former SICO Company after 41 years of service. Charlie is a member of St. Marks United Methodist Church. He served on Mount Joy Borough Council for 21 years and as a Mount Joy Twp Supervisor for 6 years. After his retirement, he and Joyce moved to Masonic Village in Elizabethtown.

Born in Marietta. He owned and operated a Dairy farm in Marietta retiring in 2003. He is married to Joyce and they have 2 sons and 2 granddaughters. Denny spends his time working for a few different local businesses.

Jeff grew up in Mount Joy and Maytown. He is a 1977 graduate of Donegal High School. He has been employed by LSC Communications (Formerly RR Donnelley) for 45 years. Jeff and his wife Tammi live in Rapho Township. They have one son and a pair of twin Grandchildren. Jeff is a member of the Milton Grove Sportsman Club and the Lancaster Liederkranz.

Dick was born and raised in Chambersburg, PA. He
graduated from Chambersburg Area Senior High School.
He began his working career with the Mechanicsburg Navy
Supply Depot and retired from the Naval Supply Business
System Center, Mechanicsburg after 41 years of service as
a Supervisory Information Technology Specialist. Dick and
his wife, Diane, were married in 2013. Dick has a son and
daughter and Diane has a son. Together they have 4
grandchildren. Dick and Diane moved to Masonic Village
in Elizabethtown in 2023. He is a member and Past Master
of the Eureka-West Shore Masonic Lodge No. 302 in
Mechanicsburg, PA and Past Potentate of Zembo Shrine,
Harrisburg, PA. Dick and Diane are members of St. Peter
Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, and attend Sell Chapel
at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA.

Gerald R. Sheetz (1925-2006) and Mary Helen Reich Sheetz (1927-2018)

Gerald Sheetz, known as “Jerry,” was a life-long resident of Mount Joy. He started in the funeral business at a young age, working with his father’s business at 16 East Main Street. In1943 he was elected president of the Mount Joy High School class. Upon graduation, Jerry went to Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster. However, the outbreak of the Second World War in 1941 compelled him to enlist in the United States Marines. Assigned to the First Division, tasked with taking over Japan, Jerry landed on the beaches of Okinawa on 1 April 1945. Upon returning to the United States in 1946, he reentered civilian life and married a Marietta girl, Mary Helen Reich, in 1949. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, they moved to Philadelphia, where Mary worked for Wyeth Industries, and Jerry entered and graduated from Eckel’s Mortuary School in 1950. He received his funeral director’s license from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1951. In 1954, Jerry and Mary opened their first funeral home at 21 West Donegal Street, where they lived above the establishment with their children.

Between 1951 and 1994, Jerry and Mary raised five children, Jessica, Judy, Mary, Jonathan, and Christopher, all of whom went to Donegal High School. During these years, the couple raised their family and participated in the civic life of Mount Joy. Jerry belonged to many organizations, such as the American Legion Post 185, the Mount Joy VFW, the Mount Joy Lions Club, Mount Joy Golf Association, and faithfully attended the Trinity Lutheran Church. Mary served on the parish council of the Blessed Virgin Mary, now named Mary Mother of the Church, sang in the choir, and organized countless fund-raising activities on behalf of her community. She also served as president of the Business and Professional Women’s Association of Mount Joy. They helped to organize Mount Joy Helping Services, which continues in operation to this day. Well-known in Mount Joy for outreach to those in need, they remained very active in the life of the town until they reached their seventies. In 1997, Mary and Jerry moved from 16 East Main Street to 223 Park Avenue, where they spent many glorious days surveying the natural beauty of Chiques Park.

Retirement for Mary and Jerry only occurred with illnesses associated with ageing, but this did not stop them from supporting their son Jonathan in their family business. Jon purchased the Sheetz Funeral Home from his parents in 1994 and continued the family tradition of service to the community. Jerry passed on in 2006 and Mary died in 2018. Their legacy lives on through their children, their spouses, and their eight grandchildren.

Bill joined the Sheetz Funeral Home in 1997 and was licensed in 2000. He was deeply dedicated to his profession and the clients he served. Bill was a charter member of Northwest EMS and life member of Fire Department Mount Joy. He selflessly donated countless hours serving the community as a volunteer paramedic and was awarded many honors for his dedication. Bill touched many lives and was a dear friend to many. He courageously battled pancreatic cancer for 16 months until his untimely death on October 17, 2013 at the age of 57. His legacy will live on for decades to come.