Mr. Robert Sherwood's Obituary
Robert E. Sherwood, age 86, departed this life on Saturday, May 23, 2015, from his home in Sebring, Florida. He was born to Elmer and Lucille Sherwood on December 28, 1928, in Linton, Indiana. He and his older sister, Joan “Sherry” Sherwood lived in Bloomfield, Indiana.
The family moved to Indianapolis in 1934. Robert graduated from Shortridge High School in 1948 and attended college at Riverside Military Academy and Indiana University where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity as was his father and eldest son.
At Indiana University, he met the love of his life, Carol “Jane” Merrifield, from Howe, Indiana. They married in 1950, and in 1959, after a series of jobs and siring five children, he moved his family to Sebring, Florida. Robert became a real estate developer. He was the C.E.O. of Sebring Shores Development, Incorporated. As a contractor, he built houses, duplexes, malls, and apartments. In 1966, he built the Sebring Shores Golf Course. In 1969, he built Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Robert was a director of Tropical State Bank and Barnett Bank for 30 years. He was a founding member of the Sebring Kiwanis Club, an active member of the American Cancer Society, and a director of the board of the Florida State Cemetery Association.
Robert was predeceased by his wife, Jane, in 1983.
In 2002, Robert married Shirley Tardif, who predeceased him in 2005.
Robert is survived by five children: Anne (Jim) Kelly, Matt (Monica) Sherwood, Bruce (Sara) Sherwood, Wade (Vann) Sherwood, and Todd Sherwood, and his sister, Sherry Voyles of Boerne, Texas. He was a good provider to his family and was proud of the fact that all his children were university graduates. He is also survived by grandchildren Anna Kelly, Heidi Kollins, Margaret Jane Wilkie, Robin Sherwood, Kristen Silvay, Hale Kelly, Brandon Lykes, Drake Sherwood, Robby Sherwood, Max Sherwood, Morgan Sherwood, Genna Sherwood, and Emma Sherwood. Additionally, he is survived by nine great-grandchildren with another great-grandchild expected in September.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Highlands County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, 2970 University Parkway, Suite 104, Sarasota, Florida, 32243.
A graveside service will be held at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Avon Park, Florida.
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