Rev. John Charles Sheppard, II was born on October 29, 1942 in Washington D.C. Raised in Cambridge, Ohio by his parents, the Honorable John and Mary Jane Sheppard, he graduated from Defiance College in Ohio and later received a Masters of Divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. Pastor Shep lived a life of faithful service and was greatly admired for his friendly style of skillfulteaching and articulate preaching. He served nine churches in the central valley of California, including First United Methodist Church and Living Word Fellowship; both in Yuba City, where he lived for the past 27 years. Shep was a devoted family man. He will be missed by his wife of 50 years, Jan Sheppard; children JoLynne Keough, Sherri McDaniel (Cameron), and James Sheppard (Cindy), as well as grandchildren Nicholas, Parker, and Grace. Pastor Shep died November 26, 2016, after a lengthy illness. A graveside service will be conducted by Rev. Max Beery, First United Methodist Church Cambridge, at Northwood Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 5, 2016. A Celebration of Life service conducted by several pastoral associates will be held at Cornerrstone Church in Yuba City, California at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2016. Charitable donations in his honor may be made to The Wesleyan Church Global Partners or . Arrangements are under the direction of Holycross Memorial Services.Send Condolences to www.appealdemocrat.com