Ivan “Sonny” Lothair Sherman

Ivan “Sonny” Lothair Sherman, 93, lifelong resident of Hamilton County and recently of Fort
Wayne and Lafayette, Indiana passed away at his home surrounded by family early in the
morning of December 25, 2024.
Ivan was born March 12, 1931 in Marion, Indiana to Paul and Alice (Lowe) Sherman. Farming
became his passion early as he first learned to drive a tractor at age ten and began helping on
his grandfather’s farm in Fall Creek Township. In answer to a recent inquiry, Ivan proudly
recalled that he officially began farming when his grandfather gave him his first hog. Involved in
FFA in high school, he nurtured his entrepreneurial interests by trying his hand at growing
tomatoes and hiring a harvesting crew. Although he raised hogs and Angus and Brahman cattle
in his youth and early adult life, he mainly grew corn and soybeans for the entirety of his career
until retiring in his 60’s. For the remainder of his life, he continued to stay up to date with
agricultural news and technology and treasured creating a legacy of farming through acreage in
Illinois.
Ivan graduated from Noblesville High School in 1949 and married his high school sweetheart,
Delores Jean Wiggins, on June 26, 1953. They were blessed with two daughters and shared 29
wonderful years of marriage until her passing in 1982.
Ivan enlisted in 1954 and served 5 years in the 738th Ordinance of the United States National
Guard as a helicopter mechanic at various bases including Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Sill,
Oklahoma; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and Stout Field, Indianapolis. He still farmed while on active
duty and even throughout the 12 years he worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal
Service driving a delivery route out of the Broad Ripple post office.
Marrying in 1989, Cleatus Catherine “Cathy” DeLong brought light back into his life and they
were married for 34 years. Together, they traveled all over the United States while he worked for
Econoway-Overland Motor Coach driving tours, buying and selling motor coaches, and
attending conventions. He was able to visit nearly all 50 states, only missing Oregon and
Hawaii. He and Cathy shared a love of history and exploration and their house was a meeting
point for their blended families to share conversations while viewing home videos, auto races,
and football or basketball games.
Ivan was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He was often seen videotaping family
gatherings, grandchildren’s sporting events or recitals, and his many travels, ensuring each
family member received a copy of the DVDs he made for them. Ivan had an appreciation for
Indian motorcycles, trains, Chinese food, and couldn’t pass up good deals on used cars,
especially Cadillacs. Known for taking family members on impromptu and often unsolicited “Ivan
Tours”, he would drive down country roads looking at crops, farming equipment, elevators, and
anything else off the beaten path. One memorable year, he surprised his extended family with a
particularly fun ride in his motor coach to see the Reynolds Farm Equipment’s light display and
all joined in to sing Christmas carols over the loudspeaker.

A member of First Christian Church, Noblesville, Ivan was a 33rd Degree Mason with Hamilton
Lodge #533 and a Past Worthy Patron of both Fishers Chapter #446 and Radiant Chapter #200
(Noblesville) Order of the Eastern Star. He was also a member of Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine,
and the Fishers Lions Club. Generous with his time to these organizations, he was also quick to
lend a hand to his friends, fellow farmers, and family. Ivan was slow to anger, an ardent listener,
and chose his words carefully. Many have described him as one of the nicest guys around.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, first wife, Delores Jean Wiggins
Sherman, second wife, Cleatus Catherine DeLong Meyer Sherman, and sister, Sandra Leticia
Sherman Lees as well as numerous other family and friends.
Surviving are daughters, Cyndi (Mike) Renn of Plain City, OH; Nancy (Mike) Ireland of Lafayette,
IN; stepsons, Lonny (Shiryl) Meyer of Danville, IN; Brian (Peggy) Meyer of New Haven, IN; eight
grandchildren, Katie (Kyle) Feucht of Marysville, OH; Jackie (Cole) Heissel of Remsen, IA;
Colby (Mallory) Ireland of Hillsboro, IN; Hannah (AJ) Bursott of Lafayette, IN; Kellen Meyer of
Fort Wayne, IN; Elizabeth (Tyler) Webb of Fort Wayne, IN; Payton Kubelsky of Danville, IN; and
Kaiden Ortega of Danville, IN; six great-grandchildren, Emery, Harper, Grace, Elliot, Julia, and
Elena; and one great-grandson on the way.
Surviving extended family includes brother-in-law Julius K. Lees of Midwest City, OK; nephews,
Rod (Cathy) Lees of Midwest City, OK; Norman (Evelyn) Lees of Noblesville, IN; Eric
(Stephanie) Lees of Plainfield, IN; sister-in-law, Myra Wiggins of Noblesville, IN; nieces, Kathy
(Perry) Williams, Christy Wiggins and Vickie (Tom) Wright all of Noblesville, IN; and nieces
Cheryl (John) Parks of Laytonsville, MD and Mary Sue (Chuck) Whitlock of Lafayette, IN;
sister-in-law, Martha (Melvin) Steury of St. Joe, IN; brother-in-law Dennis Keller of Butler, IN,
and many additional nephews and nieces.
We extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Guardian Angel Hospice, Elara Care,
and Betz Nursing Home. Your expertise, kindness, and unwavering commitment to Ivan’s
comfort and dignity in his final days were truly remarkable. We are forever grateful for the
support and care you provided.
Friends are invited to join family for A Celebration of Life on March 23, 2025 from 2 to 5 p.m. at
the Hamilton Masonic Lodge in Fishers. Masonic Services will begin at 4:30 p.m. and Eastern
Star services will follow. Hamilton Masonic Lodge #533 is located at 11500 Oak Drive, Fishers,
IN 46037.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you consider a donation to Fishers Chapter #446 OES,
14491 Harrison Parkway, Fishers, IN 46038, Hamilton Masonic Lodge at the address above, the
Indiana Masonic Home, online at imhf.org, or Hamilton County 4-H, 2003 Pleasant St,
Noblesville, IN 46060.