Sheila J. (Zapf) Dole

ALEXANDRIA, IN – Sheila J. (Zapf) Dole, 86, passed away unexpectedly after moving to Tennessee to live with her son, daughter-in-law and her 3 younger grandchildren at Columbia, Tennessee on Monday, May 4, 2026.

She was born on September 20, 1939, in Muncie to Ronald Zapf and Elverda (Pingery) Zapf Songer and has resided in Alexandria all her lifetime. She was a graduate of Alexandria High School-Class of 1957. Sheila received her BA in 1963 and her MA in 1967 all from Ball State University. She worked in the Alexandria Community School system as librarian at Marie Thurston Elementary school for 3 years, and head librarian at the Alexandria-Monroe High School for 16 years, retiring in 1995. Sheila was a former member of the Christian Congregation Church of Alexandria. More recently, Sheila has been an active member of the Alexandria Church of the Nazarene. She and her late husband Clayton were very active in the Alexandria Band Boosters and supported many Tiger athletic programs. She and her late husband reached a goal of visiting every state on the US continent together. Sheila was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother. Her gentle spirit will be sadly missed but warmly and fondly remembered.

Survivors:

Son-Doug (Erin) Dole of Columbia, Tennessee

Grandchildren-Harrison Dole (Omayma Leal) of Alexandria, Leighton Dole (Dustin Swindell) of Elwood, Wilson Dole of Alexandria, Lachlan Dole, Lennon Dole and Treyson Dole all of Columbia, Tennessee

Great-Grandson-Spencer Dole of Alexandria

2 Sisters-Ruth Woodring of Anderson, Sue Goodwin of Joplin, Missouri

Several nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 42 years-Clayton J. Dole in 2003

Services honoring Sheila’s life and legacy will take place at 6 pm on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in the Owens Funeral Home, 412 North Harrison Street, Alexandria with Pastor Aaron Chester officiating. The Dole family will receive friends after 4 pm on Wednesday prior to the service in the funeral home. Family and friends are invited to a graveside service at 2 pm on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery, 6805 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Anderson, IN 46013.

Memorial contributions are suggested to “It’s a Mike Thing” c/o Connie Thomas, 322 East Washington Street, Alexandria, IN 46001 or the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, 117 East Church Street, Alexandria, IN 46001.