Donald “Don” Sheely

April 16, 1929 - April 28, 2026

Donald “Don” Sheely, 97, of Redding, California, passed away on April 28, 2026. Born on April 16, 1929, in Bellevue, Ohio, Don lived a long and active life shaped by curiosity, skill, and a deep connection to his family.

Don was known for his humor, his sense of honor, and his love of the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, kayaking, hiking, sailing, and scuba diving, and was always ready for the next outing or project. He had a quick wit and a playful way about him, often sharing jokes and sayings that made people laugh.

Music was a steady thread throughout his life. Don was a highly respected piano tuner, a craft he began learning as a child while helping his father tune church pipe organs. Over the years, he tuned more than 50,000 pianos and worked with well-known musicians and performers, including Dolly Parton, Boris Karloff, Kim Novak, and Roger Williams. He was inducted into the Fremont Ross Music Hall of Fame and remained closely connected to music, playing jazz piano and attending concerts whenever he could.

He studied engineering at Ohio State and served as a radio operator in the Army during the Korean War. He was also active in his community, serving as a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America, participating in the Civil Air Patrol, and being involved with the Lions Club in Redding. He valued service and being part of a community.

Don shared 54 years of marriage with his wife, Anne McCandlish, and together they traveled widely, exploring many of the world’s great rivers. At home, he passed along his love of adventure to his family, teaching them how to ice skate, ski, backpack, and sail.

He is survived by his three children, Ron Sheely (Joyce), Annette Williams (Kip), and Janet Sheely; his five grandchildren, Malani and Kavika Tavui, Kara Petracca (Eric), Kristin Sease (Jeff), Annie Houston (Mark); and his three great-grandchildren: Vivienne and Evelyn Petracca, and Keegan Sease; as well as three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne and sister, Donna Jean.

Don will be remembered for his steady presence, his skill, and the way he shared what he loved with the people around him.