Robert 'Bob' Merle Sherry

Robert (“Bob”) Merle Sherry, 98, a son of Pennsylvania departed this life on March 18, 2024. While a resident of Pompano Beach, Florida at the time of his death, Bob, was formerly a resident of Sandy Lake and spent most of his life in Pennsylvania.

He was born on August 25, 1925, near the coal mining town of Timblin, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania and was the only child of the late Erbie L. and Wilda I. (Bish) Sherry.

After graduating from Punxsutawney High School, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country from 1943 to 1946. On May 20, 1944, while serving in the Navy, he married Anna (‘Ann”) K. Snyder who preceded him in death on December 23, 1984.

Following his military service Bob returned to Jefferson County and found employment in the coal and fire clay mining industries. However, that experience convinced him to take advantage of the GI Bill so that he might build a better life for himself and his family. Consequently, he attended and graduated from the California State Teachers College (now known as California University) where he earned a teaching degree in industrial arts.

The first four years of his teaching career began in the General McLane School District in Edinboro, Pennsylvania but the bulk of his career was spent in the Lakeview School District where he was the “wood shop” teacher for almost three decades until his retirement in 1985. While teaching at Lakeview High School he had a direct impact on the lives of many of his students.

Bob was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing in Penn’s Woods both in and around Sandy Lake as well as at Rocky Camp, the hunting and fishing camp in Elk County which he helped to build with his father and other relatives after World War II.

Further afield Bob marked the beginning of the summer season with a fishing trip to the Province of Quebec, Canada which he enjoyed with family and friends for fifty consecutive years.

While he relished his time in the out of doors, he was a devoted father who, along with his wife, Ann, raised four daughters in their home on Wood Street. He was uniformly and justifiably proud of each of his daughters and their accomplishments.

Bob was a member of the Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church and used his wood working skills to design and build the large wooden cross which still graces the sanctuary at that house of worship.

After attending his fiftieth high school reunion Bob became reacquainted with a classmate, Margie E. Shaffer, whom he married on March 1, 1995. Margie survives him in Pompano Beach, Florida.

In addition to Margie, he is survived by his daughters: Mary Ellen Wiese, and her husband, David of North Carolina, Greta (Doug) Gilmore Slater of Virginia, Carolyn (Dr. James) Reed of Gibsonia and Annette (Paul) Burke of Murrysville; a stepdaughter, Beverly Spivey of Florida; a step- son, Ken (Lori) Himes, of New Jersey; sixteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Rose and Black Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 99 Franklin Street, Stoneboro, PA 16153 where family and friends are welcome from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Friday, March 29, 2024. Full Military Honors will be rendered by the VETS Honor Guard prior to the funeral service which will take place immediately following the visitation hours referenced above. The Rev. Beth Creekpaum of the Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church will be the officiant.

Interment will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery and will be private.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.RoseAndBlackFH.com The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made in memory of Bob to the Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church, 3461 Sandy Lake – New Lebanon Road, Sandy Lake, PA 16145.