Gladys Sherman

Gladys Sherman was a woman who was never afraid of hard work, but she knew how to perfectly balance that work with enjoyable times, times that were usually spent with her family or friends. Gladys was born on January 18, 1920 as one of seven girls born to Joseph and Lena (Jones) Bour, of Muskegon, Michigan. Gladys grew up in Muskegon and attended Muskegon Public Schools. This was a period in our nations history in which many families struggled during the Great Depression to make ends meet and Gladyss family was no exception. Gladyss father asked that she leave school when she was in the tenth grade so that she could find work to help contribute to the family income. Brighter days were soon in store for Gladys as she was soon introduced to a young man named Leo Sherman. Gladyss sister Thelma was married to Leos brother which initially paved the way for a love story which would span more than 30 years. Gladys and Leo began dating and were later married in 1941. Their new life was interrupted, however, as Leo was called to serve his country in the United States Army during WWII while Gladys stayed home and worked making fuel tanks for B-17 bombers. Upon Leos return, they built a house on Airline Rd. in Fruitport, Michigan which is where Gladys would call home for over 60 years. Gladys and Leo were also blessed with the births of three children: Joann, Judy, and Lee. As a family, the Shermans attended Central Assembly of God Church together. When all her children were in school, Gladys found employment as a seamstress for Hackley Hospital where she would work for 29 years before she retired, sewing everything from surgical sheets to curtains. Unfortunately, Leo died in 1975 leaving Gladys to draw strength from both her faith and her family during this difficult time. She was blessed to have a great group of friends as well, especially Barb Sellers. Together, these two friends took several trips to northern Michigan where Gladys loved visiting Lake Superior and the Pictured Rocks. Several years ago Gladys suffered a stroke and although she recovered relatively well, she needed to give up driving, but she was still able to remain quite independent with the help of her family and her friend Barb. Gladys delighted in her role as a grandmother and spent as much time as she could with her grandchildren. She spent a quite a bit of time helping out her daughter Joann and her family. Later in life, Gladys moved in with her daughter Judy, allowing Judy to more easily care for her mother. Gladys L. Sherman, died on Friday, December 26, 2008. Gladyss family includes her son, Lee (Eleanor) Sherman of Fruitport; daughters, Joann (David) Tice of Muskegon, Judy (Ray) Miller of Grand Haven; 10 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; sister, Jeanette (Glen) Hughey. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 29, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Temple of Fruitport with Rev. Kevin McCormick officiating. Interment at Fruitland Township Cemetery. Please visit Gladyss memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a memory or sign the online guest book.