| OLLIE SHERMAN, VETERAN ENGINEER, DIED MONDAY
Oliver Francis Sherman, son of the late
William F. and Mary Ellen Lynch
Sherman, was born in Plattin, Missouri on January 3, 1884, and passed away
suddenly at his home in Bonne Terre, at 8:30 a.m., Monday, December 8, 1947,
aged 63 years 11 months 5 days.
Mr. Sherman, who has been an engineer for the Missouri-Illinois Railway Co.,
for 42 years, was preparing to go to work Monday morning, when he was
stricken with a heart attack, from which he failed to rally.
On August 4, 1910, he was united in marriage to Rebecca Ann Sharp, and they
made their home in Herculaneum for 18 months, after which they moved to
Bonne Terre, where they have since resided.
He is survived by his wife and four children: Ernest Sherman of Farmington;
(Ruth) Mrs. T. A. Reames of St. Louis; (Ethyl) Mrs. Gordon Hampton of Baton
Rouge, La., and (Mary) Mrs. M. A. Pupich of McKeesport, Pa. A son, Harold,
was killed in action in China during World War II. Also left to mourn his
passing are nine grandchildren and three brothers: Everett and Cornelius
Sherman of St. Louis and Howard Sherman of Bonne Terre.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Centenary Methodist
Church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Monk Bryan. Masonic rites were
conducted by Samaritan Lodge No. 424. Interment was in Parkview Cemetery,
with Benham Service.
William "Bill" Sherman
|
Like his brother, the late Wm. P.
Sherman, affectionately known by all
railroad people as "Plattin Bill," Ollie shared with his brother Bill in
popularity. Ollie started to work for the M.R. & B. T. Ry. about the same
time Plattin Bill did. They did all kinds of roundhouse work before going
on the road as firemen. Both were promoted to positions of locomotive
engineers about the same time.
Ollie was a hard worker. It has been told to The News that he could do more
work in a day with a locomotive and a good crew than most engineers. His
run south of Bonne Terre included the switching near The News office. It
was always a pleasure for The News force to see him each day on the engine
and to receive the pleasant smile and wave from a truly friendly man.
Ollie's railroad career was not only handling freight trains, he piloted
many passenger trains into St. Louis Union Station as well as piloting many
special trains of importance. His record as a safe and careful engineer
stands without a blemish.
Mr. Sherman was nearing the age of retirement, which was about a year off.
Mr. Sherman's passing means to the railroad the loss of a most competent and
faithful employee and to the community the loss of a fine and lovable
citizen.
|
The above photo is of
Walter Reynolds and William "Bill" Sherman (the brother of Oliver
"Ollie" Sherman). Walter Reynolds, born June 10, 1876, was a well-known
Railroad Engineer on the old Mississippi River and Bonne Terre Railroad. He
"piloted" No. 30 engine between Doe Run and St. Louis in the years around 1917.
Walter Reynolds married Liza "Lizzie" Odile Marchand on October 11, 1910.
The above photo was submitted by Joseph Wilkson
whose mother is a sister to Liza "Lizzie" Odile (Marchand) Reynolds. |
