Paul E. Sherman of Mansfield, and formerly of Galion, passed away peacefully and is reunited with his loving wife of 66 years, Betty, in time for Christmas, their favorite holiday.
Paul, 87, died Friday, December 18, 2020 at OhioHealth Hospital Mansfield from complications of Covid19.
Paul Sherman was born on January 22, 1933, in Morrow County, Ohio to Florence Marie Heffelfinger Sherman and Clarence Paul Sherman. His mother died when he was four years old. He was raised by his grandparents Frank and Emma Heffelfinger, who took him and his three brothers, his sister, and two cousins to raise after they were both over 65 years of age. Paul was always thankful to his grandparents for this.
He graduated from Iberia High School in 1951 where he played baseball and basketball. Paul worked at Gledhill Road Machinery in evenings in his senior year of high school and after he graduated, and after returning from the army in 1955.
He married Betty Joan Lear on October 29, 1952, at the First Methodist Church in Galion by Reverend Norman Somerville. He felt that his greatest accomplishment was to marry Betty and be given the children and grandchildren that they had together.
He is survived by daughters Christine (Mark) Maxwell and Debra (Mark) Farina; grandchildren Dr. Nicole Crase, Dr. Melody Maxwell, Brenton Farina, Dane (Sara) Farina and Maria (Ryan) Francisco; great-grandson Caleb Paul Francisco; sister-in-law, Jeanne Schneider; cousin Joan Wright and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his grandparents, parents, and wife he was preceded in death by brothers William, Philip and Dale Sherman; sister Elaine Smith; brother-in-law, John Schneider and cousin Betty Heffelfinger.
He spent two years in the United States Army. Paul was in Germany from August 1953 to March 1955 in Germersheim Ordinance Vehicle Park. He went to work for Galion Iron Works in 1970 as a service representative. He and his wife Betty lived two years in Fredericksburg Virginia and eight years in Lindenhurst, Illinois for the company in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Paul retired in 1997. He was the first Methodist Church’s Sunday School Superintendent from 1965 to 1970. Paul was the church custodian for two years after he retired from his regular day job. He was the chairman of trustees a number of times, and on the finance committee for the church.
In 1995 he joined the Galion Masonic Lodge #414 and in 1996 the Galion Chapter #142. Paul was High Priest of Galion Chapter #142 in 1998, 1999, and 2000. He was the Galion Chapter #142 secretary from 2001 to 2012. He was the Worshipful Master of Galion Lodge #414 in 2002, 2003, and 2010. Paul joined Bucyrus Council #83 in 2002 and Illustrious Master in 2004. Paul joined Mansfield Commandery #21 in 1998 and was Eminent Commander in 2006. He was a member of Ohio Priory #18; he received his Knight York Cross of Honor in Zanesville, Ohio on November 4, 2006. He was Financial Administrator for the Galion Masonic Temple Co. from 1998 to 2012. Paul was a member of the Aladdin Shriners Valley of Columbus, Ohio, and the Treasurer of the Galion Shrine Club. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus and the Secretary/Treasurer of the Crawford County Scottish Rite Chapter. Paul was a member of Mansfield Baku Grotto. He was a member of Mohican Council #134, Allied Masonic Degrees. Paul was a past member of Crawford County Council #408 Knight Masons. He was a member of the Ohio Grand Council and Order of High Priesthood. Paul was a member of the Council of Anointed Kings of the State of Ohio. He was a member of the Mansfield High Twelve Club #408, served as president in 2010. Paul was a past member of the York Rite Secretaries and Recorders Association of Ohio.
Paul delivered Meals on Wheels for the Crawford County Council on Aging for ten years to shut-ins and Outreach Meals for Christ Methodist Church to shut-ins. He was a poll judge and presiding judge on election day for a number of years.
The family would like to thank the staff at Mansfield Place for the loving care that Paul received over the years. They would also like to thank the health care workers at OhioHealth Hospital Mansfield and OhioHealth Hospice; especially Unit A37, who took care of Paul in his final days.
A graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your charity of choice.
Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Paul Sherman, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.