Arnold Felix Sheil

Arnold Felix Sheil of Sudlersville, MD, passed away on December 1, 2024, at Point Pleasant, WV while dispatched out of local 45 as a Boilermaker-Welder to Local 667’s Mountaineer Power Plant. Arnold Felix was born on November 7, 1970, to Michael and Helga Sheil in Hampton, VA. He graduated with the class of 1989 from Maryville R-II High School, Missouri. Following his graduation, he attended Northwest Missouri State University, where he majored in fine art and art history. He curtailed his Arts education to enlist in the U.S. Army and began his military career as a lithographer at the Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific (JICPAC), Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Serving meritoriously, he furthermore won the Army’s coveted Soldier of the Year Award. And, while a member of the distinguished Honor Guard, he received in person then-President Bill Clinton. After his enlistment, Arnold Felix again pursued his lifelong love of fine art, using his innate artistic talent to skillfully and enthusiastically master such diverse mediums as oils, watercolors, printmaking, pottery, and jewelry making to produce a prolific amount of fine art. Again, feeling the call to duty, in 1998 Arnold Felix enlisted a second time in the U.S. Army as a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) artilleryman stationed at Fort Hood, TX. In February of 2000 he met his beloved wife of over 23 years, also serving on active duty, while in the Mojave Desert, Yermo, CA during the end of a 45-day field rotation at the National Training Center. Arnold Felix’s amazing military career ultimately culminated in a tour to Iraq with his Maryland Army National Guard unit that was activated and deployed with the 82nd Airborne during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). There, under continual enemy fire and constant threat to life, he flew missions daily as a UH60 Blackhawk Helicopter crew chief mechanic and door gunner, and returned from tour decorated, without single incident of operator error or lives lost. Returning to civilian life, Arnold Felix again pursued fine art at University of Maryland, College Park where he his exceptional artistic abilities were recognized with a full-ride scholarship. Arnold Felix subsequently channeled that creative passion into earning his Master’s degree in graphic art and web design from Johns Hopkins University. In that capacity he was hired by the Department of the Army at Fort Sill, OK where for two years he managed its official site Fires Center of Excellence, was a photographer with Fort Sill Public Affairs and produced numerous pieces of media and graphic art. In recognition of his exceptional service, he was awarded the prestigious Department of the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medal. In 2017, Arnold Felix characteristically refocused his boundless energy and potential toward new horizons and completed a rigorous 4-year apprenticeship program with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Union. There, he carved out a niche career as a Boilermaker-Welder Journeyman among his fellow Boilermaker brothers and sisters. Often, he expressed how thankful he was to have found a career in the trades and he said many times it was there that he belonged all along. He took great pride in the work they did that gave him a tremendous sense of value and purpose. Aside from Arnold Felix’s illustrious careers, above all he was a man of deep enduring Christian faith, a man with a strong moral compass and belief in our Lord Jesus Christ. He was a devout Catholic who in the last months of his life had been working toward receiving his official confirmation in the church alongside his wife’s efforts to do likewise. He was a devoted husband who cherished his wife and always put her before himself. He had a keen sense of humor and always made those around him laugh, he was a terrific host and loved to share the fruits of his labors with others, whether it was honey, or eggs, or vegetables he canned himself. And he would so often marvel and remark that, “We live in abundance.” He was a musician, playing the trumpet and harmonica, an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, gardening, and beekeeping to name a few. He was a superb cook, a gentle pet dad, a proud uncle of so many talented, beloved nieces and nephews. He was a faithful brother and a cherished friend to so very, very many. His absence from our lives will be felt by all. Until we meet again. Arnold is preceded in death by his father, Michael Sheil, and mother, Helga Sheil. He is survived by his wife, Tamera Sheil of Sudlersville, MD. May the rest of her life be a lasting tribute to his. Additionally, he is survived by seven siblings; His five brothers: Martin Sheil (Carol) of New Hampshire; Robert Sheil of Missouri; Stephan Sheil (Barbara) of Virginia; Francis Sheil of Kansas; and Christopher Sheil (Julie) of Ohio and his two sisters: Rebecca Evans (Jim) of Illinois; and Christine “Susie” Salhany (Jimmy) of Nebraska, and many beloved nieces and nephews. A Mass will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Dennis Church in Galena, MD. The burial will take place outside of town at St. Dennis Cemetery, followed by a reception in the Hall across from St. Dennis Church. A Tribute to My Beloved Felix O my love – what should I tell them? Would they want to know how much you loved me? How much I loved you? How much I still love you? How can I sum up in a few lines, my dearest, an entire universe? The sun, the moon, the stars? My love, you so often would say to me, “Yes. I know you love me. But, why do you love me?” So now I will tell you why. I love you Arnold Felix Sheil, Because you were a man of faith, holding fast to the religion of your youth. Because you were a force of life so palpable I felt electricity between us whenever we were near. Because you cared for me and those around you more than yourself. Because your presence in this world physically changed it for the better. Because your passion for life and the memory of that vitality is forcible enough to power me through whatever else may lie ahead. Because we had dreams, my love – grand plans! Because dreaming with you and doing with you was truly my own heaven on earth. Because every word of encouragement you ever gave me resonates inside me forever. Because your immense talent and capacity to turn every endeavor into a good work and a work of art will never cease to amaze me. Yes. You, my love, were born of a good woman and fathered by a good man; born into a good family You were educated, graduated, strived, achieved, worked until you bled, and shed sweat, tears, and blood in the honorable service of our good country. And so, for all these reasons and so many, many more, I love you. Forever. Tamera.

Arnold Felix Sheil

November 7, 1970 - December 1, 2024