Mr. Sheldon Andrus

Mr. Sheldon Joseph Andrus, II Sunset: Mr. Sheldon Joseph Andrus, II, 63, of LaPlace, Louisiana, transitioned and his soul entered eternal life peacefully on Saturday, August 22, 2026. He was a son of Port Barre, a soldier, an athlete, entrepreneur, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. Sunrise: Sheldon was born October 5, 1962, in Lafayette, Louisiana, to Sheldon "JB" Andrus, a plumber with his own business, and Ethelane Castille Andrus, a celebrated chef. He was raised in Port Barre alongside his brothers Gerald, Ray and Randy, and Port Barre never stopped being home. Sheldon’s relatives had been in St. Landry for several generations. The Andrus family appears in St. Landry Parish records as early as 1809, and an Andrus married a Castille there in 1876, long before his own parents united those same family names. High School and National Guard: Sheldon was a graduate of Port Barre High School, where he first gained recognition on the football field while starting on both offense and defense. Prior to attending college, he enlisted in the Army National Guard. While a student at Port Barre High School, he enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard, completed basic training, and qualified as a Sharpshooter and hand grenade expert. Sheldon finished Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, in August 1981 as a tactical wire operations specialist. He was assigned to the 256th Engineer Company in Opelousas, twelve miles from the house he grew up in. He completed his tour of duty with an honorable discharge in 1985. College: Weeks after leaving Fort Gordon, Sheldon reported to Nicholls State University (NSU) for his freshman season. He was a four-year starter, played in 44 consecutive games, and majored in physical education (while attending National Guard drills as needed). In his senior season the Colonels shared the Gulf Star Conference championship. At Nicholls he pledged Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. While pledging he met a student named Eileen Shanklin who would later become his wife. NFL Career: In May of 1985 the San Francisco 49ers invited him to training camp. Undrafted, out of a small school in south Louisiana (NSU), he walked into camp with the defending Super Bowl champions with one of the best defenses in the league, and he held his spot on the roster until the final cuts. One year later, the New Orleans Saints signed him, and that December he made his NFL debut wearing number 96 at nose tackle. In the fall of 1987, he played every game he was given (while the NFL was on strike) and started one. That season New Orleans finished 12 and 3, the first winning season in franchise history. Sheldon was played in the “scab” games during that season and contributed to this milestone in Saint’s history. Marriage and Children: In May 30, 1987 (between football seasons), he married Eileen Shanklin. They shared thirty-nine years together prior to his transition, and made their home in LaPlace where they raised their two sons, Sheldon III and Theron. Post NFL: After retiring from football, Sheldon sold cars for Benson Chevrolet, part of the automotive group owned by Tom Benson, the owner of the Saints. He won several salesmen of the month awards at Benson Chevrolet. He later became a licensed insurance agent and founded an independent property, casualty, and life insurance agency in Kenner, following his father's entrepreneurial example. He succeeded in both careers because of his gift for building lasting relationships. With his big smile and personality, he had a way of making everyone feel seen and heard. The standing family joke (funny only because it was nearly true) was that he could “sell ice to an Eskimo”. Hurricane Katrina & Relocation to Ohio: When Hurricane Katrina ravaged South Louisiana in 2005, the family left Louisiana and settled in Canton, Ohio, where Sheldon joined the sales team at Waikem Auto Family. Sheldon and Eileen remained in Ohio until both boys had finished high school then moved back to Louisiana in 2009. Both sons and their wives still live in Ohio. Faith: Sheldon began as an altar boy at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Port Barre. He later joined Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church (GSS) in New Orleans, where he was interested in the diaconate and was a member the GSS evangelism team, and in 2025 he was baptized while a resident at Heritage Manor in Opelousas and became a member of the World Mission Society Church of God. He always believed and often said; “the church is a hospital.” He meant that nobody walks into church without a need/condition and everybody receives treatment through the word of God. Survived By: He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Eileen Shanklin-Andrus of LaPlace, LA; two sons, Sheldon J. Andrus, III (wife Bethany) of Cleveland, OH, and Dr. Theron A. Andrus (wife Amanda) of Akron, OH, two cherished grandchildren, Theron A. Andrus, Jr. and Elias Andrus; two brothers, Gerald Andrus of Opelousas and Randy Andrus of Port Barre; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The Celebration: A celebration honoring the life and legacy of Mr. Sheldon Joseph Andrus, II, will be on Monday, September 7, 2026, at McCormick Hall and Event Center, 17753 Highway 190 West, Port Barre, Louisiana 70577. The celebration starts promptly at noon (12:00 pm) cst. Dress Request: In celebration of Sheldon's love of sports, everyone is invited to come dressed in their favorite sports team jersey or in their favorite team colors. A tailgate-type repast in his honor will follow the service at the same location (McCormick Hall & Event Center). He was preceded in death by his parents, Sheldon "JB" Andrus and Ethelane Castille Andrus; his sister-in-law, Lisa Andrus; and his younger brother, Ray Andrus. Arrangements: Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Williams Funeral Home of Opelousas; however, the celebration of Life and tailgate repast will be held at McCormick Hall & Event Center in Port Barre, La. Family and friends are invited to share words of comfort, support and memories with the family by visiting the online guestbook at www.williamsfuneralhomes.net

Mr. Sheldon Andrus

October 5, 1962 - August 22, 2026