Nathan Sheppard

Nathan "Mr. Nate" Sheppard, 72, passed away on September 20, 2026, in Pickerington, Ohio.

Nathan was born on March 16, 1954, in Toledo, Ohio, to Nathaniel and Lucille Sheppard. He lived a life defined by family, hard work, cars, fishing, and an unmistakable love of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Growing up in Toledo, Nate discovered his passion for working with his hands at a very young age. He worked alongside his father in the family body shop, learning the trade that would become such an important part of his life. He also practiced martial arts during his younger years and earned a fourth-degree black belt. The determination, discipline, and toughness he developed stayed with him throughout his life.

In the early 1990s, Nate moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he continued building his career in the automotive industry. He worked for Yellow Cab and several body shops throughout Columbus before taking the biggest step of all and opening his own business, Total Body Shop. His talent, work ethic, and love for cars made the shop an important part of his life.

Even after retiring, Nate simply couldn't sit still. His love for cars and the body shop business brought him back to work at Fine Line Auto Body Shop, where he eventually finished out his career. Working on cars wasn't just a job to Nate; it was something he genuinely loved. Even during his final days, when his body was failing, he was still trying to work on cars. He was stubborn, determined, and always ready to get his hands dirty.

Nathan was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel and Lucille Sheppard; his brothers, James Edward Reynolds, Charles "Chuck" Reynolds, Horace "Squeaky" Reynolds, and Jesse Phifer; and his longtime friend and brother-in-law, Mark Green.

He is survived by his wife, Valerie Sheppard; his son, Nathan Reginald Sheppard; his daughter, Natalie Sheppard; his daughter-in-law, Miko Sheppard; and his grandchildren, Anyai Sheppard, Nathaniel "Bam" Sheppard, Milania Sheppard, and Niko Sheppard.

To his four grandchildren, Nate was more than just a grandfather-he was a special part of their childhood and their lives. He loved being a grandfather and took great pride in each of them. Whether he was sharing a story, joking around, teaching them something, or simply spending time with them, his grandchildren knew they were loved. He was the kind of grandfather who would do anything for his family, and the memories they made with their "Pawpaw" will stay with them for the rest of their lives. His love, guidance, humor, and stubborn determination will continue to live on through each of them.

He is also survived by his brothers, Joe Howard Reynolds, Milton Reynolds, and Philemon "PJ" Dinkins; his sisters, Anna (Gail) Davis and China Dinkins; his aunt, Anna Pearl Richardson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Nate was also a diehard Ohio State fan. His love for the Buckeyes ran deep. If you gave him the chance to piss on a Wolverine, he'd do it.

Nate will be remembered for his toughness, his work ethic, his sense of humor, his passion for automobiles, and the many people whose lives he touched along the way. He was a man who never really knew how to slow down because there was always another car, another story to tell, or another Buckeye game to watch.

His memory will live on through his family, his friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Rest easy, Nate. No more pain. No more struggles. Just one last body shop waiting for you on the other side-and hopefully, they don't let any Wolverines in.