Benjamin "Ben" Sherman Sr.

Benjamin “Ben” Sherman Sr., 87, of Mentor since 1966, passed away May 17, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 16, 1932 in Willoughby, OH and was raised there before moving to Mentor. Ben graduated from Willoughby Union High in 1951. He owned, operated, and was the president of Sherman Industries, a cement and heavy machinery hauling company located in Willoughby. He began working at the company in 1953, became president in 1974, and retired in 2001. A U.S. Army, Korean War veteran, past Monarch of Caliph Grotto 1998, he was a volunteer Willoughby firefighter, a member of the Mentor VFW #9295, the Willoughby Mason’s Blue Lodge #302, the Mentor American Legion #352, the Painesville Elks, Mentor Lagoons, and Mentor United Methodist Church. More than anything, Ben loved his family and was extremely proud of the family legacy he created. He especially enjoyed cooking Sunday breakfast for his family, woodworking, trains, firetrucks, boating, gardening, OSU and Mentor football/wrestling, doing jigsaw puzzles and word searches, and watching Hallmark movies. Ben was honored to serve as patriarch of the Fordyce Sherman family of which he was the longest living member. Survivors are his children, Tanya (Ray) Bencar, Benjamin “Ben” (Debbie) Sherman Jr., Scott (Ellen “Ellie”) Sherman, Melissa “Missy” Sherman; additionally, Lynn (Pete) Keller; grandchildren, Joseph “Joe” (Gretchen) Bencar, Jessica Bencar (Nicholas “Nick”) Lutton, Kelsey Bencar, Haily Sherman (Jake) Smith, Zachary “Zach” (Dina) Sherman, Cameron “Cam” Sherman, Michael Sherman, Tyler (Karen) Sherman, Zane and Eva; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Sadie, and Jacob “Jake” Bencar; and his brother-in-law, Gene (Geri) Mattingly. Nieces and nephews, Nannette “Nan” Lyman Lee, Bobea Lyman Cook, Hadley “Had” (Peggy) Kline Jr., Beth Kline, Kimberly Kline (Andy) Vadyak, Jennifer Mattingly (Daniel) Lenhart, Sue Sherman, Kathy Miller (Mark) DiRosa, and Robert “Bobby” (Barbara) Miller; cousin Kathy Dye Schlabach; lifetime family best friend Marlene Miller; many great and great-great nieces and nephews; special friends/daughters Tracy, Marty, and Tina; and many other loved ones and friends. Much love and gratitude to Pastor Beverly Wrobel for her continuous love and support. Ben was preceded in death by his wife and love of his life, Noile Maxine Agin Sherman; grandson, Brandon Sherman; parents, Fordyce Melvin and Pearl Luella Langshaw Sherman; siblings William, Bea Sherman (Robert) Lyman, and Nannette Sherman (Hadley) Kline Sr.; sister in law, Shirley Agin Mattingly; nephews Timothy “Tim” Sherman Sr. and Gene “Matt” Mattingly Jr.; great-nephews Daniel “Danny” Sherman and Mark DiRosa Jr.; great-great-niece Karisten Lyn Sherman, and lifetime best friend Robert “Bob” Miller. Also acknowledged are his paternal grandparents William Penn and Nellie Ferry Sherman; maternal grandparents John and Susan Padget Langshaw, and great-grandfather Benjamin Sherman. The family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. A celebration of life in honor of Ben will be Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Mentor United Methodist Church 8600 Mentor Ave., Mentor. Interment will take place immediately following the service at Mentor Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Ben’s honor or Mentor United Methodist Church. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

Benjamin "Ben" Sherman Sr.

May 16, 1932 - May 17, 2019