Mary Wyvonne "Bonnie" Sherman

Mary Wyvonne “Bonnie” Sherman 92, of Abilene, passed away on Friday, May 21, 2021, at home surrounded by family. She was born on June 26, 1928, in Denton Valley to James Morton Whitley and Bertha Camilla Mosley Whitley. She graduated from Denton Valley High School and attended business school.

She married Rufus Calvin Shrum in 1943. He was killed on February 21, 1945, near Iwo Jima while serving in the Navy during World War II. She married Curtis Patrick “Pete” Sherman a World War II Veteran, after he returned from the war on March 2, 1946, in Callahan County, Texas. Pete and Bonnie lived in Abilene, Texas, followed by California in the late ’40s, then Big Spring in the ’50s, and returned to Abilene in the late ’60s.

Bonnie was an accomplished artist who specialized in landscape & wildlife oil paintings. She also loved to sew and made many costumes over the years for the Living Christmas Tree at Wylie Baptist Church where she was a member for over 50 years. She was a proud member of Pep Club where she enjoyed the fellowship. She was the bookkeeper for Sherman Builders. While raising her children she volunteered with 4H, Boy Scouts, dyslexia programs, and taught Sunday School. She enjoyed gardening, especially roses. She and Pete were members of the Good Sam Club for 25 years. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing games, watching her grandchildren play ball games, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Dallas Mavericks.

Preceding her in death were her husband, son Curtis Dale Sherman, son-in-law Gayle Schroeder, her parents, brothers Willie Clarence Whitley and James Morton Whitley Jr., and sisters Ola Faye Hodges, Dorothy Grace Coffman, Clarice Daphene Scott, and Pattie Maxine Laminack.

She is survived by her daughter Gloria Jeanne Schroeder of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, son Bradley Dean Sherman and wife Julie Sherman of Abilene, Texas, her grandchildren Vince Schroeder and wife Lina of Osseo, Wisconsin, Lynn Wurtzler and husband Paul of Farmington, Minnesota, Ryan Schroeder and wife Leonisa of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Jana Schroeder of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Cassie Walden and husband Austin of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bryan Sherman of Abilene, and Brooke Sherman of Abilene.

Great-grandchildren Ciera Schroeder, Christian Schroeder, Steven Fanene, Gabriel Schroeder, Kieran Schroeder, TJ Fanene, Madison Schroeder, Devon Schroeder, Makenzie Schroeder, Drew Schroeder, and Aria Schroeder.

Bonnie is also survived by her sister, Francis Geraldine “Jerry” Johnson of Ovalo.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 28th from 4-6 PM at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Highway 277 South. A private graveside service for immediate family will be at Kendrick Cemetery where Ricky Grant will officiate.