Sheldon Reese Binch

October 19, 1937 - June 27, 2019
Sheldon Reese Binch

Sheldon “Shel” Reese Binch was a firm believer of living life his way. He was born October 19, 1937, to Robert Sheldon Binch and Annabelle Reese, in Spring Glen, Carbon, Utah, and even at an early age had a very independent spirit. He taught himself to swim, drive a car, and even survived having a truck run over him when he was a child. He joined the Navy right out of high school where he got training for his future job at Pitney Bowes as a service representative then manager. He was briefly married to Joyce Chaston then married Reba Kirk, whom he later divorced.

Shel had a passion for jazz, skiing, photography, fast cars and motorcycles, working in his fantastic iris garden, creating amazing pieces of furniture in his workshop, taking care of his cats, and sharing his vast knowledge of politics and world affairs with neighbors and friends. He was extremely independent up until his death and was never willing to take help from anyone. Shel was, however, a faithful contributor to a variety of charities including the Utah Food Bank, the Road Home, the American Heart Association and the Humane Society of Utah.

Shel passed away while living independently at his home on Thursday, June 27, 2019. He is survived by a sister, Kay Black (Will) a brother, Jared Kissell (Ruth Wright), numerous nieces and nephews and “Felix”, the cat. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother, Lane, and sister, Laurie.

Family and friends will join together Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, to celebrate his life and talk about the good times. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building. Shel will be laid to rest in a columbarium at the Utah State Veterans Memorial Park & Cemetery in Bluffdale, Utah.

These words of that famous “philosopher”, Frank Sinatra, fit how Sheldon lived his life to a tee,
“But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way.”

We will miss you, bro.