DEACON HOMER L. "SPIKE" SHERMAN, JR.

DEACON HOMER L. "SPIKE" SHERMAN, JR. age 90.  Passed away May 1, 2024.  Funeral Mass  Monday, May 6, Church of St. Clarence (30106 Lorain Rd.) at 11:00 A.M.  Friends may call at CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME of NORTH OLMSTED, 29150 LORAIN RD. AT STEARNS RD., SUNDAY 2-5 P.M.

Spike was born in Bellefonte, PA, attended high school in New Castle, PA, and married “the prettiest girl in New Castle”, Mary Lou Flynn, in 1953. He worked as an electrical lineman until he entered the Army Reserves and attended flight school at Army bases across the South. He earned his wings at the end of that decade and went to work for Beckett Aviation in Youngstown, OH, one of the first corporate aviation service providers. He moved with the growing family to the Beckett Cleveland base in 1967, settling in North Olmsted, OH, which he called home for the rest of his life.

Spike’s was no sedentary life. His work as a corporate pilot took him around the world. He met and was responsible for transporting corporate magnates, musicians, film stars, professional athletes (most notably the Cleveland Cavaliers), politicians, and royalty. He was a popular personality whose professionalism earned him respect from all who knew him. And everyone knew Spike.

A convert to Catholicism, he was adamant that his children receive a Catholic education. When the new parish of St. Clarence was founded as North Olmsted grew, Spike was drawn into the circle of the charismatic Fr. Tom Flynn, enrolled in the diaconate program, and was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 1982.

Spike juggled work and community service for years, as an ambitious and dynamic man reached maturity. Spike was considered ‘single-minded’ by many, with unwavering beliefs that guided actions. And because he showed no fear, he often performed gestures of loyalty and feats of bravery that were the mark of the man. At the same time, he was that guy who plowed your driveway until he was too old to do it himself. But when that day arrived, he had already given the neighbor kid not only his snowblower, but also the ethos of helping one’s neighbors.

Those who knew him will tell you about fishing, and golf, and guns. He loved to show-and-tell.

But those who knew him well will also tell you about his love for Mary Lou. And especially about the years of selfless caregiving that allowed them to share their life and family home until her death in 2019. They will also tell you about his love and admiration for his children and grandchildren, and about the importance of family. 

Spike lived his final year at Devon Oaks care facility in Westlake, happy and always the center of attention. 

Spike was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Mary Lou, their infant son, Joseph Edward, his parents, Homer (‘Spike’) Sr. and Hazel (née Lucas), his brother, Jay, and nephew, Jeffrey. He leaves behind 5 children, Dennis (Eleanor), Greg (Maria), Mary Jo Whetsel (Michael), Victoria Sherman, and Julie Varsho (Bennett); 8 grandchildren, Joseph (Claire) and William (Claire) Sherman, Nina, Emma, and John Sherman, Miles (Jessica) and Jacob (Shelby) Whetsel, and Ryan (Mikayla) and Erin Crell who grew up in Spike and Mary Lou’s home for several years; 7 great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, a nephew whose family he recently “adopted”; and countless, treasured friends, old and new. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Devon Oaks Assisted Living Community and Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care.