Finley Tancred "Sonny" Isler

Finley Tancred “Sonny” Isler of Houston, Texas, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2013. He was 84 years old. Sonny was born to Finley Joseph and Catherine Imelda Tandred Isler on August 17, 1928, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from Howe High School in 1946 and then served in the U.S. Army until 1948. After he left the service, he attended Butler University in Indianapolis, and later the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Sonny married Jennie Lou Fox on July 2, 1954, in Indianapolis.

He followed his father into the airfreight business which took Sonny and Jennie to New York City, Philadephia, Los Angeles, St. Louis and later to Houston, where they established their long-term home. Sonny started his career managing Isler Carthage, the largest airfreight company in Indianapolis. After a few years, he left the family business to make his own mark and worked his way up to becoming an officer of Wings and Wheels. It was during this assignment that the family moved around the country. When the company suggested yet another move, Sonny chose his family's stability over his career and informed his employer that Houston would be his final stop. This decision led to a series of management jobs with companies that included Air Carthage International, Skyline, Freddies Fast Freight, Danners and later the establishment of Isler Carthage in Houston. Sonny managed this last company until four years ago when he was first diagnosed with cancer.

Sonny was one of the original members of St. Leo the Great Catholic Parish and many people on the northside may remember him as either a coach or an administrator at North Side National Little League and Northside Football League.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Mary Katherine Isler Snyder, as well as his wife Jennie. He is survived by his daughter Mary Isler; his son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Michelle Isler; his grandson, Nolan Isler; and 2 nephews who reside in Florida.

A visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m, Monday, April 22, 2013 at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home, with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. The Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be at 2:30 p.m, Tuesday, April 23, 2013 in the Chapel of Earthman Resthaven. Sonny will then be able to show up for work once again, and get back to enjoying his Budweisers and Chesterfields.