Nelson "Ike" Sleeper

Nelson “Ike” Sleeper passed away on May 5, 2026, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou, surrounded by the love of his family, at the age of 94. He was the son of Joseph and Alma (Meelan) Sleeper. As one of eight children, Ike’s love of family, food, and Lebanese culture was ingrained in him through strong family traditions and parents who pursued the American Dream.

Ike shared a remarkable 60-year marriage with his beloved wife, Jeanne Alice (Thibodeau) Sleeper, whom he married on a snowy day in Fort Kent in 1958. Together, they built a life centered on family, raising five children and creating a legacy of love that endures beyond them.

He will be remembered as a man who found joy in tending vegetable gardens, taking pride in a perfectly kept yard free of dandelions, and appreciating the quiet reward of watching things grow under his care. Ike had a deep appreciation for farming and loved being surrounded by the rolling potato fields of Aroostook County. He could often be heard saying, “Where could you find a more beautiful place than this?”

An avid fisherman, he was in his element casting a rod on the rivers and lakes of the North Maine Woods and beyond. He especially looked forward to annual trips to the Arctic waters of Canada with friends and family in pursuit of legendary Arctic char. He also cherished long drives with family, admiring the beauty of The County and keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way.

Ike’s summers were spent at the family camp that he shared with his brother Joe’s family on Madawaska Lake. Together, the two families embraced the chaos of their combined 11 children and never shied away from inviting just a few more people into the mix. In the fall, when hunting season ended and the snow began to fall, Ike and Jeanne loaded up the car and headed south to their home away from home in Boynton Beach, Florida, where they built many lasting friendships.

Ike served his country with honor during the Korean War, earning a Bronze Star for exemplary service. In his community, he was a familiar and active presence - whether through his involvement with Loring Air Force Base and the Rotary Club, as a member of the Parish of the Precious Blood, or golfing at the Caribou Country Club.

Long into his 90s, he could still be found stocking shelves at Sleeper’s Market, the family store he and his brother Joe proudly carried on after their father first opened its doors in 1914. Ike valued hard work and truly believed that anything “should only take five minutes if you truly put your mind to it.”

Those who knew Ike will remember his laughter, the twinkle in his eye, and the way he could turn a simple game of cribbage into a lively exchange of good-natured heckling.

Ike is survived by his five children and their spouses, Mark (Tina), Doug (Kim), Cheryl (Rick), David (Shannon), and Andrea (Bill); as well as 12 grandchildren: Katherine (Brendan), Christian (Lindsay), Olivia (Bradford), Jack (Carly), Will (Sydney), Mae, Ben, Jared, Meredith (DJ), Nic, Owen, and Lydia. He is also survived by his sisters, Natalie and Dottie (Mike), and his sister-in-law, Doris.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the caregivers at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou for their compassion and care.

On Saturday, May 23, 2026 we will celebrate Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 at Holy Rosary Church, The Parish of the Precious Blood. A gathering will be held after the services at Ike’s home, 18 Home Farm Road, Caribou.   

Donations in memory of Ike may be made to the Memorial Fund at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou, P.O. Box 163 Van Buren Rd. Suite 2, Caribou, ME 04736.