Bonnie Irene Letner Sherman

SHERMAN, Bonnie Irene, 97, was born in her home in Westfield, IL, September 14, 1914. In 1915 she and her parents moved to a 20 acre farm in Toledo, IL, referred to in family history as “the 20.” The following year, her brother Ivan was born there. Her father was teaching at Hickory school in Westfield. Her earliest memories of her father were sitting on a tree stump watching for her father to come home from his teaching job, riding his horse. Two years later there was another move. This time to Moultrie Avenue, Grant Park, in Mattoon, IL. where her youngest brother Ray was born. Her father had taken a job at Chuse’s Engine Company, where he helped build steam engines. In 1921 the family moved within Mattoon to Marshall Avenue. She walked to Lowell Elementary School and the Mattoon Methodist Church. The family bought a 1926 Maxwell car and, after staying in Mattoon for her longest stay to date, the family moved in 1927 to Washington, DC where her father had taken a machinist job at the Navy Yard. She attended Van Buren elementary and Ketchum middle schools and was baptized, joining Anacostia Baptist Church. Bonnie moved on to Eastern High School. In 1932, while in 11th grade, she met David Sherman at a friend’s get-together. David was working at the US Government Printing Office. In February, 1934, Bonnie graduated from High School and started work at the Chesapeake and Potomac (C & P) Telephone Company at $14.21/wk. In 1935 she was engaged at Easter and married David, June 1 at her parents home on Ridge Place. They moved into an apartment on Ridge Place for about one month and then into her parent’s home. In 1936 they moved to 1909 Naylor Road, Washington, DC. Their first child, Bonnie Gere, was born December 9, 1937, and Bonnie quit her job with the telephone company. Their second child, Diana Carol, was born March 6, 1940. Bonnie was a full-time mother until 1958. During that time she joined Fountain Memorial Baptist Church, moved to 804 Owens Road, Oxon Hill, MD, and became charter member of Temple Hills Baptist Church. Bonnie re-entered the work force in 1958, first with Woodward & Lothrup’s (a large department store), then, in 1960, with Hartman Realty. The family also changed churches and joined Ft. Foote Baptist Church in Ft. Foote, MD. She changed jobs again in 1963 and started working as a teller at the Riggs National Bank (the one pictured on the back of the $10 bill). In 1969 David retired from the Printing Office and both moved to Longboat Key, FL. 1970 was a very busy year. They had a house built in the Mainlands, Pinellas Park and they moved in. They also made a trip to Germany to visit their daughter Diana, and son-in-law Bill, who was stationed there in the Air Force. They transferred membership from Fort Foote Baptist church to First Baptist Church of Pinellas Park becoming active in their new church home. They also became active in the Mainlands hosting card parties, swimming, bowling and playing shuffleboard. 1985 was a banner year as Bonnie and David celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family in Virginia. David went home to be with the Lord October 19, 1998. Bonnie lived at home until January 2006 at which time she entered Bon Secours Maria Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She enjoyed her stay, making many friends. She died on April 29, 2012.

She is survived by daughter, Diana Wheeler and her husband, Bill Wheeler of Springfield, VA, four grandchildren, (Karen Hamilton, Dr. David Wheeler, Rev. Kenneth Wheeler and Dr. William Hamilton) and nine great-grandchildren (Mercy Wheeler, Andrew Wheeler, Hannah Wheeler, Elijah Wheeler, Joshua Wheeler, Elizabeth Wheeler, William Hamilton, Daniel Wheeler and Anna Hamilton).

Funeral arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home 7950 131st St. Seminole, FL 33776 /727-391-0121