Ivan “Sonny” Lothair Sherman

March 12, 1931 – December 25, 2024

Ivan “Sonny” Lothair Sherman, 93, lifelong resident of Hamilton County and recently of Fort Wayne and Lafayette, Ind., passed away at his home surrounded by family early in the morning of December 25, 2024.

Ivan was born March 12, 1931 in Marion, Ind., to Paul and Alice (Lowe) Sherman. Farming became his passion early as he first learned to drive a tractor at age 10 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 60s. 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 five years in the 738th Ordinance of the United States National Guard as a helicopter mechanic at various bases including Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Knox, Ky.; 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, Ohio; Nancy (Mike) Ireland of Lafayette, Ind.; stepsons, Lonny (Shiryl) Meyer of Danville, Ind.; Brian (Peggy) Meyer of New Haven, Ind.; eight grandchildren, Katie (Kyle) Feucht of Marysville, Ohio; Jackie (Cole) Heissel of Remsen, Iowa; Colby (Mallory) Ireland of Hillsboro, Ind.; Hannah (AJ) Bursott of Lafayette, Ind.; Kellen Meyer of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Elizabeth (Tyler) Webb of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Payton Kubelsky of Danville, Ind.; and Kaiden Ortega of Danville, Ind.; 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, Okla.; nephews, Rod (Cathy) Lees of Midwest City, Okla.; Norman (Evelyn) Lees of Noblesville; Eric (Stephanie) Lees of Plainfield, Ind.; sister-in-law, Myra Wiggins of Noblesville; nieces, Kathy (Perry) Williams, Christy Wiggins and Vickie (Tom) Wright, all of Noblesville; and nieces Cheryl (John) Parks of Laytonsville, Md., and Mary Sue (Chuck) Whitlock of Lafayette, Ind.; sister-in-law, Martha (Melvin) Steury of St. Joe, Ind.; brother-in-law Dennis Keller of Butler, Ind., 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 from 2 to 5 p.m. March 23, 2025, 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 lieu of flowers the family requests that you consider a donation to Fishers Chapter #446 OES, 14491 Harrison Pkwy., 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.