F. David Sheldon, 90, formerly of Schenectady, New York, Andover, and New London, passed away on February 18, 2014 in Tucson, Arizona.

Born October 17, 1923, the son of Neil O. and Lenah (Flower) Sheldon, the family moved to Schenectady in 1925 where his father bought a business.

David graduated in 1948 from Cornell University with a BS degree in Agricultural Economics. He served in the US Army Field Artillery in the South Pacific from 1943 until injured in 1945 and discharged. In June 1946, he married Susan E. Kelley while still in college. They had three daughters, Elizabeth, Ann, and Martha.

In August 1948, he joined the family business. Over the next 25 years, through his and his valued associates’ efforts, the business expanded and became very profitable. It was sold to Agway in 1973.

While in Schenectady, he was active in Union Presbyterian Church as a member of the choir and Ruling Elder. He also was active in the YMCA in the club and on the Board. He was a member of the Rotary for 22 years, the Food Cooperative Store Board and the Fuel Dealers Board.

In 1978, he and Susan moved to Andover where, after over four years employed by a division of Prentice-Hall, he had several part-time jobs and Susan had a home “cottage industry.” He was a member of New London Rotary for 32 years.

In December 1984, Ann was killed at age 34 in an automobile accident. In September 1992, Susan died at 67 of cancer, and in February 1999, Elizabeth (Landers) died of cancer at 51.

In June 1995, David married Lorna T. Johnson of Andover, and they enjoyed 15 years together until she passed away in 2010. In 2011, David moved to Tucson to be close to his daughter, Martha.

In addition to Martha and her husband Joseph, he is survived by three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren; his step-children Ellen (Rich) Pine of Powder Springs, Georgia; Stephen (Neall) Johnson of Wilmot; and Bryan (Paula) Johnson of East Andover.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 19, at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church of New London. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Dorset, Vermont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 336 or New London Rotary Club, PO Box 1408, both in New London 03257.