Lawrence Howard Sherman

Larry was born at home in Iron Mountain, Michigan, on October 3, 1939, to Allen and Veronica (Sherman) Raymond. He was raised in Niagara, Wisconsin, by his grandparents, Adam and Apolonia Sherman, after his mother passed away while he was still an infant. He grew up with his uncles and aunts, relating to them more as “brothers” and “sisters.” They taught him to hunt, fish, ski, and play sports. In his teens, he moved in with Frank and Joan Sherman and changed his last name from Raymond to Sherman.

He graduated from Niagara High School, Class of 1957, where he was active in clubs and played on the varsity baseball, basketball, and football teams. Nights were spent with friends at Niagara’s clubhouse where he worked at the bowling alley manually setting pins for ten cents per game. In his senior yearbook it was written of him, “If wisecracks were drops of water, he’d have his own ocean.” He never lost his sense of humor.

After graduation, Larry followed family tradition and joined the United States Army. He served overseas in France and told fascinating stories of his time there. He continued his service in the Reserves until Honorably discharged.

Larry returned to Niagara, took a job at the Kimberly-Clark paper mill, and married Alexis Netzel. Together they raised daughters Renee Veronica and Diann Marie, who both adored their father. The family moved to Chicago when Larry took a job as a mechanic at Oscar Mayer. While the marriage lasted only eight and a half years, Larry remained devoted to the care of his daughters and they remained very much a part of his life.

After parting ways, Larry married Linda Hrynkow and raised their children, Debbi and Larry, in the suburb of Northlake. Family time included shooting pool in his rec room, camping at Wooster Lake, swimming and card games at Stella’s cottage, playing harmonica with his father-in-law Wally, sledding at Irving Park, and a magical road trip to Disney World.

In the mid-eighties, he moved the family to Chino, California, when he transferred first to Oscar Mayer’s Los Angeles plant, then to the Fullerton plant where he managed the Luncheables line. He earned several company awards and after a thirty-five year career at Oscar Mayer, he retired as the Assistant Plant Manager.

His family continued to grow during his years in California, adding sons-in-law Rich and Jason, and grandsons Billy, Brandon, Ryan, and Kyle. He played in basketball and softball leagues with Larry and Jason and went camping with them in the Sierra Mountains. In retirement, he restored a 1954 Mercury Monterey, shot hoops in his backyard, and went to Jason, Ryan, and Kyle's baseball games.

The family next moved to Chesterfield, Virginia, where Larry welcomed daughter-in-law Nancy Smith, tinkered at home, and watched his favorite sports teams: the Boston Celtics, Chicago White Sox, and the Green Bay Packers. He was a proud Packers owner/shareholder and celebrated his 71st birthday at a game with Debbi at Lambeau Field during their 2011 Super Bowl Championship season. He enjoyed father-daughter lunches, Sunday breakfasts, Larry and Nancy's musical performances, his grandson's baseball games, and visits from Renee and Diann.

Larry and Linda moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to spend their sunset years living with Debbi’s family. They “walked the world” together, married for over 51 years.

Larry is reunited in Heaven and having a good time with his “brothers” and “sisters” who proceeded him in death, including Felix, John, Joe, Don, Frank, Ray, Curly and Stella. He is also with grandparents Adam and Apolonia, in-laws Wally and Louise, his grandson Billy, and a son born too soon. He has finally met his mother Veronica and reunited with his sisters Inez and Pat.

Remembering him with love are his wife, Linda, children Renee (Rich) Rosa , Diann Sherman, Debbi (Jason) Price, and Larry (Nancy) Sherman, grandsons Brandon (Aurea), Ryan, and Kyle, and several family members and friends. Also surviving him are siblings Jarvis and Kathleen.

A private memorial service to honor Larry's life and military service will be held on January 16th at South Florida National Cemetery.