WNC Foundation member dies at 86

Longtime education supporter Bernice Sheldon, 86, died Saturday at her Carson City home, nearly

12 years after her husband John.

"She and her husband, John, were terrific supporters of the machine tool technology program," said Western Nevada College Vice President of Development and External Affairs Helaine Jesse Morres. "A lovely lady. I will always remember her kindness to the college and its students."

Sheldon, who was a board member on the WNC Foundation, was active throughout her life in a number of community organizations including the Rotary Club, and the technology center at the college was named after her late husband.

"Everything they did, they did together," said one of her three sons, Gene Sheldon.

They moved their business, Omneco, an aerospace manufacturer, from Southern California to Carson City in 1978 with 20 to 25 employees, Gene Sheldon said, and later sold the business to Morton Thiokol.

"She was the light of our family - our anchor," he said.

Jerrad Sheldon, one of seven grandchildren, said he was her caretaker for more than two years.

"She was a great woman," he said. "They did a lot for people, the community and for the college. She's really going to be missed. We all just loved her to death."

A memorial and celebration of life will be held this summer to scatter the ashes of John and Bernice Sheldon in the mountains, which they both loved, he said.