Hi Michelle,

I believe we have corresponded before.

Your father is my 1st cousin. Ralph "Sparky" Sheeder was my uncle (Uncle Bud) - he was a WW II hero, you know. There is a lot of information on him during the war in the Bedford newspaper.

Your pap Sheeder was married twice - the first time was to Theresa Joyce Carroll in 1942. They had three children, Gary, Mary and Joyce (deceased). Theresa was from Washington state and Ralph probably met her there during his military duty (he also served overseas and was a gunner). There are records for Theresa and Ralph in Washington up until 1950, but they eventually divorced.

It appears Ralph returned to Bedford County in the early 1950s and this is when he would have met your grandmother, Mary Kolinchak. I have the birth year for your father in 1953 and according to the Bedford newspaper, Ralph was ordered to pay child support for your father.

Ralph then married Jeanne Winter in the mid 1950s and they had two children Sherri Jo and Brook.

You can find more info on my tree at:

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/69373095/family

We have a family reunion every year in Woodbury, PA (although this year it will be in Robertsdale) for the descendants of Ross Sheeder and Grace Kline (your great grandparents). This year it is on July 11th (this Saturday) at 12:30 at the Robertsdale Church of God pavilion. You are certainly welcome to attend if you see this in time, if not we would like to see you next year!

Cheryl Sheeder