Bible studies teacher who retired at 91 left mark on children

Michael "Sonny" Sherman of Arlington Heights taught the Bible to kindergarten and first grade students at Christian Liberty Academy for 40 years, finally retiring for health reasons last Thanksgiving at age 91.

A musician, who was instrumental in founding the first Glenview Naval Air Station Navy Band and played piano at supper clubs in Chicago, he often played the piano for his students and at services.

"He has been the central core of young children's Bible classes here for 40 years," Thad Bennett, the school's assistant headmaster said at a ceremony when Mr. Sherman retired. "He was my Bible teacher, and he played the piano at programs when I was this age. He's an institution here."

"It's been great therapy for me all of these years," said Mr. Sherman, who died Thursday in Arlington Heights. "I always had a feeling that I was helping them - that if I taught them what the words meant, they'd remember them."

His life took on new meaning, he said then, when he and his wife, Sherry, met the Rev. Paul Lindstrom, who was in the process of trying to start his new church in the suburbs.

Legend has it that Mr. Sherman was the one who suggested the name: the Church of Christian Liberty.

Survivors include sons James of Arlington Heights, John (Wendy) of Elkhart, Ind., and Michael (Kelly) of Eden Prairie, Minn.; brothers Russell (Mary) Sherman of Columbus, Ohio, and Joe (Alice) Sherman of Lake Geneva, Wis.; and a sister, Mary Jane (the late Don) Zeiger of Roselle.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, at the Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, at the Christian Liberty Academy, Grace Gymnasium, 502 W. Euclid Ave.