Sherman Gary Kredit

Sherman Gary Kredit was born in Harrison, South Dakota on January 9, 1939. He was the oldest of four children born to Siebren and Violet (Aardappel) Kredit. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to California and lived in Los Angeles before settling in the Bellflower/Lakewood area.

He is survived by his loving and faithful wife of 63 years, Ardelle (Bode) Kredit and his daughters: Kimberly(Randy) Algra of Bellflower, CA, Paige(Kevin) Engelsma of Lynden, WA ,and Beth(Travis) Jansen of Sunnyside, WA; grandchildren Brendan(Alyssa) Algra, Dylan Algra, Jared(Kiley) Algra, Jesse(Lindy) Engelsma, Ryan(Lauren) Engelsma, Cody Engelsma, Karibeth(Levi) Larson, Megan Engelsma, Bode Jansen and Sawyer Jansen; and great-grandchildren Coen Algra, Marley Algra, Josie, Lily and Noah Engelsma, Katherine, Bjorn and Clayton Engelsma and Owen Larson.

He is also survived by his siblings, Virginia Westcott of Artesia, CA, Norman(Lori) Kredit of Anaheim, CA, and Marilyn Whitt of Artesia, CA, as well as many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Siebren and Violet Kredit, parents- in-law Clarence and Etta Bode, and brothers-in-law Jerry Whitt and Robert Broersma.

Sherman attended Bellflower Christian Schools where his parents were school teachers. He received his AA degree from Cerritos College. As a teenager he worked at Foster’s Freeze for $1 an hour and enjoyed all the ice cream he could eat! At 19 he joined the Air Force, trained in Biloxi, Mississippi and later was based at George Air Force Base in Victorville, CA. While at his parents’ home for the weekend he met a new school teacher named Ardelle Bode. He took her for a ride in his convertible Austin Healey Sprite. When he next saw her at church, he didn’t recognize her!

Sherman was transferred overseas in 1961 to Spangdahlem AFB in Germany. He sent an engagement ring to Ardelle through the mail. They were married in Lynden, WA in 1962 and honeymooned in Seattle at the World’s Fair. They lived in Berlin, Germany for 8 months. Before leaving Germany, they purchased a Volkswagen Beetle and had it shipped to the States. After waiting three weeks on the East coast for its arrival, they drove it cross country visiting with friends and family along the way. He remained in the Air Force Reserves. In 1965 Sherman worked at the Long Beach Airport fueling aircraft, followed by a job with the City of Bellflower.

It wasn’t until he was 29 that he pursued his final career. He served 25 years with the Compton Fire Department until his retirement in 1993. He served as an Engineer, Arson Investigator, Captain and Battalion Chief. He was a leader, instructor and role model to many. His strong work ethic and take-charge personality made him “Firm, Fair and Friendly”. He made many friends along the way throughout the City of Compton and the surrounding areas. He could often be found eating carne asada at Tom’s, visiting friends at the local laundromat, or talking shop at King’s Diesel.

Sherman was a long-time member of Bethany Christian Reformed Church. He served as deacon, sang many years in the church choir, and kept the church bus and fire extinguishers maintained. He and Ardelle were part of the “Couples Club” group that kept so many families connected to this day. They enjoyed many potlucks, beach parties and later pizza and game nights.

His retirement began with purchasing a travel trailer that took him fishing at Silver Lake every Fall, many trips to Washington State to visit family, and Kredit/Krediet reunions every 3 years around the country. His time at home was spent in the garage playing pool, maintaining his Model A, restoring Honda Trail 70 motorcycles, and hanging out at Art Pena’s business. He loved spending time with all the grandkids and great-grandkids and prayed for them daily…from Washington to Florida and all their locations in-between.

Sherm loved babies! There wasn’t a baby at church that he wouldn’t hold if he was allowed and there were other times he would just take them without asking. He also had a soft spot for single/divorced women that needed someone to guide them in home and car maintenance. He couldn’t fix their hearts but he could teach them how to snake a sink and check their oil.

He loved the Lord with all his heart. He loved his family. He was a prayer warrior for the sick and afflicted. He prayed daily for “the soldiers in the service and the missionaries in the field”. In his last days he called friends and family to tell them he was going to Heaven and that he would see them there. He truly wanted to make Heaven crowded.

“When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the Victory!”

Donations can be made in Sherman’s memory to Bethany Christian Services at 14241 Firestone Blvd., La Mirada, CA 90638-5832 or Salem Christian Home at 6921 Edison Ave., Chino CA 91710.

Viewing will be held from 4-7 PM on June 22, 2026 at Bethany Christian Reformed Church at 17054 Bixby Ave., Bellflower, CA 90701.

Sherman Gary Kredit served in the United States Air Force and will be buried with Military Honors at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California on June 23, 2026 at 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518. Scheduled arrival time for the processional to the Honors Ceremony is 9:30 AM. The ceremony lasts from 9:45 AM until 10:15 AM.

A Memorial Service will be held at Bethany Christian Reformed Church at 17054 Bixby Ave. Bellflower, CA 90706 on June 23rd at 12:30 PM with luncheon to follow.