Manchester, Iowa-

Virginia Ann Sheets, 88, of Manchester, Iowa, died at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. She was born on July 5, 1924, at Ryan, Iowa, the daughter of James and Kathryn (McDonald) DeLay. She was raised and educated in the area, and was a 1942 Manchester High School graduate.

On July 5, 1949, Virginia was united in marriage to Lyman Wood Sheets. Together they lived in Mount Pleasant for 35 years where Virginia worked as a photographer and journalist. Virginia also wrote articles for the Telegraph Herald, Des Moines Register, and some magazines. She assisted in the start-up of a radio station in Mount Pleasant. Virginia and Lyman moved to Arizona in 1983 and in 1999 moved to Manchester.

Survivors include four children, Lyman William Sheets, Ann Sheets, and Robert Sheets all of Manchester, and James Steven (Natalia) Sheets of Bethesda, Maryland.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lyman Wood Sheets in 1991; and one brother, Robert DeLay.

Online condolences may be left with www.leonard-mullerfh.com

Mass of Resurrection: 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 11, 2013, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester, Iowa. Celebrant: Rev. Dennis Cain

Visitation: The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. service time at the church on Friday.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery - Ryan, Iowa

Leonard-Muller Funeral Home & Crematory of Manchester is assisting the family with the arrangements.