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All through the life of Mike Sherman, his actions, words, beliefs, and selflessness, reflected how GREAT of a man he was...
Mike and Kathy shared the kind of love that most only hoped and prayed for. Mike’s unending love, respect and devotion for Kathy was admirable. In Mike’s words: “Kathy, the most beautiful, amazing, wonderful woman I could ever dream for I thank the Lord that he blessed me with the best wife to spend my life with Love you babe.”
Their love story started almost 31 years ago…
In 1989 Mike (18) enlisted in the Army National Guard. He went on to serve for 6 years and received a Commendation Achievement Award for his service. Although his greatest achievement came in April 1990, when Mike walked into the gas station where Kathy worked to apply for a job. Little did they know where that chance encounter would take them. It was honestly love at first site. After 3 months on July 21, 1990, they got married. Mike, only 19 years-old, gratefully took on the job of father and adopted Kathy’s three children, Amy (14), Wendy (11) and Steve (8), it was a role he was proud to have. He loved them from the start and there was never a doubt those were HIS kids thru and thru. In 1998, Mike and Kathy adopted Austin (6 mo) their 1st grandchild when their daughter Amy fell on hard times. Mike was the best father to his 4 kids. In 2008, they adopted their granddaughter Kaylynn (4). Mike loved his new little daughter KayKay SO much. Mike proudly held the title of Best Dad in the World from his 5 kids. As the years went on, they were blessed to be the grandparents of Collin, Matthew, Skyllar, Michael, Bella, Cooper, and Johnny. Mike loved spending time with his family and especially taking his kids and grandkids CAMPING. He was incredibly involved with his grandchildren and enjoyed showing them how to ride a bike, tying their shoes, teaching them about welding and power tools and attending their sporting events. The most loved pastime with Papa was riding on his mower.
Mike was born and raised Lutheran, but really grew in his faith when he and Kathy started attending Mission Bible Church in the Spring of 2015. They proclaimed their faith and were baptized together on January 24, 2016. Mike and Kathy immediately got involved with ministries and serving at the church. They started attending Celebrate Recovery and quickly became part of the service team and served MANY delicious meals week after week. Mike, who always offered a helping hand, custom built the “Shindig Grill” for the annual church camping trip. Mike had a kind and giving heart and it showed through in his service to his church and beyond.
Sadly, Mike had a tragic accident on Tuesday February 2nd. He was working in his workshop that evening building and creating as he loved to do. Kathy heard a loud noise and Mike yell out and rushed downstairs. She found Mike unconscious, she ran to get her phone to call 911 and started CPR. Mike was revived after 28 mins with no pulse by Minooka police officers and EMT’s who all took turns and never gave up on him. Mike was taken to Loyal Hospital and placed in ICU, he was on life support and fighting for his life. Mike sustained head trauma due to the fall and had a sever break in his arm as well.
His prognosis was not good, and the extent of his brain damage had not been determined. The next day when Kathy and Mike’s mom touched him and spoke to him his vitals responded positively. This gave everyone hope for the future. Although Mike fought hard for every gain he had, he would have a set-back. The first few days he suffered with heart and blood clot complications. When they brought him out of the induced coma, he began having seizures and had to be put back under. Mike was unable to do an MRI due to his profession as a pipefitter and the possibility of metal in him. As the family struggled to understand how, why, and what happened to Mike, the hospital continued running tests to get answers. The family continued to pray and reached out to friends and their church family to lift Mike up in prayer. The days came and went with more questions than answers.
Mike was given a paralytic drug to ensure his comfort and that would allow the medical team to move him and undergo a CT Scan. The hospital contacted Kathy on Sunday to come to hospital with her family for a meeting. At that time, the hospital informed them that the CT Scan indicated Mike had no brain activity. They also determined Mike had several blood clots in his lungs which ultimately caused this tragic accident. It was devastated news for Kathy and their family. The decision was made, God needed Mike. As we know, Mike was a selfless man and wanted to be an organ donor. There is a peace in knowing Mike may live on through saving the lives of others. On Monday February 8th the family was brought together at his bedside. They prayed as they said their goodbyes to the Husband, Father and Son they so dearly loved. When the time came to remove Mike from life-support, his son Steve prayed over his Dad as his mom Gail and daughter Wendy held his hand and the love of his life Kathy gave him one last kiss. He peacefully left this life and moved into his forever life with God.
Mike was loved by his family and friends alike. He was the kindest most wonderful husband, father, son, and friend. Mike was the sole provider for he and Kathy, and she needs our help. Mike was only 50 when tragedy struck, he did have a pension and a small life insurance policy through the Union. Unfortunately, Mike did not have a pre-burial plan. The last thing Kathy and Mike’s family needs is financial hardship as they are making his final arrangements and starting their journey through the grieving process. Please if you can help Kathy and their family in anyway, please consider donating.
Mike was a devoted and loyal member of the Pipefitter Union, Local 597 for 18 years. Mike’s father-in-law was a member of Local 597 for over 40 year, his son Steve has been a member of Local 597 for 13 years, along with Mike’s brother-in-law Don Ingalls. Mike was well respected and loved among his fellow union members. Mike was one of the most genuine people and genuinely cared about those he worked with.
The family wants to thank everyone for their support and prayers during those difficult days and asks for your continued prayers for the difficult days ahead. Thank you to the Gift of Hope organization for all their support and kindness, and to the phenomenal medical staff at Loyola ICU-Burn Unit. Thank you, with love and appreciation in honor of Mike Sherman and the Sherman Family.
Mike and Kathy shared the kind of love that most only hoped and prayed for. Mike’s unending love, respect and devotion for Kathy was admirable. In Mike’s words: “Kathy, the most beautiful, amazing, wonderful woman I could ever dream for I thank the Lord that he blessed me with the best wife to spend my life with Love you babe.”
Their love story started almost 31 years ago…
In 1989 Mike (18) enlisted in the Army National Guard. He went on to serve for 6 years and received a Commendation Achievement Award for his service. Although his greatest achievement came in April 1990, when Mike walked into the gas station where Kathy worked to apply for a job. Little did they know where that chance encounter would take them. It was honestly love at first site. After 3 months on July 21, 1990, they got married. Mike, only 19 years-old, gratefully took on the job of father and adopted Kathy’s three children, Amy (14), Wendy (11) and Steve (8), it was a role he was proud to have. He loved them from the start and there was never a doubt those were HIS kids thru and thru. In 1998, Mike and Kathy adopted Austin (6 mo) their 1st grandchild when their daughter Amy fell on hard times. Mike was the best father to his 4 kids. In 2008, they adopted their granddaughter Kaylynn (4). Mike loved his new little daughter KayKay SO much. Mike proudly held the title of Best Dad in the World from his 5 kids. As the years went on, they were blessed to be the grandparents of Collin, Matthew, Skyllar, Michael, Bella, Cooper, and Johnny. Mike loved spending time with his family and especially taking his kids and grandkids CAMPING. He was incredibly involved with his grandchildren and enjoyed showing them how to ride a bike, tying their shoes, teaching them about welding and power tools and attending their sporting events. The most loved pastime with Papa was riding on his mower.
Mike was born and raised Lutheran, but really grew in his faith when he and Kathy started attending Mission Bible Church in the Spring of 2015. They proclaimed their faith and were baptized together on January 24, 2016. Mike and Kathy immediately got involved with ministries and serving at the church. They started attending Celebrate Recovery and quickly became part of the service team and served MANY delicious meals week after week. Mike, who always offered a helping hand, custom built the “Shindig Grill” for the annual church camping trip. Mike had a kind and giving heart and it showed through in his service to his church and beyond.
Sadly, Mike had a tragic accident on Tuesday February 2nd. He was working in his workshop that evening building and creating as he loved to do. Kathy heard a loud noise and Mike yell out and rushed downstairs. She found Mike unconscious, she ran to get her phone to call 911 and started CPR. Mike was revived after 28 mins with no pulse by Minooka police officers and EMT’s who all took turns and never gave up on him. Mike was taken to Loyal Hospital and placed in ICU, he was on life support and fighting for his life. Mike sustained head trauma due to the fall and had a sever break in his arm as well.
His prognosis was not good, and the extent of his brain damage had not been determined. The next day when Kathy and Mike’s mom touched him and spoke to him his vitals responded positively. This gave everyone hope for the future. Although Mike fought hard for every gain he had, he would have a set-back. The first few days he suffered with heart and blood clot complications. When they brought him out of the induced coma, he began having seizures and had to be put back under. Mike was unable to do an MRI due to his profession as a pipefitter and the possibility of metal in him. As the family struggled to understand how, why, and what happened to Mike, the hospital continued running tests to get answers. The family continued to pray and reached out to friends and their church family to lift Mike up in prayer. The days came and went with more questions than answers.
Mike was given a paralytic drug to ensure his comfort and that would allow the medical team to move him and undergo a CT Scan. The hospital contacted Kathy on Sunday to come to hospital with her family for a meeting. At that time, the hospital informed them that the CT Scan indicated Mike had no brain activity. They also determined Mike had several blood clots in his lungs which ultimately caused this tragic accident. It was devastated news for Kathy and their family. The decision was made, God needed Mike. As we know, Mike was a selfless man and wanted to be an organ donor. There is a peace in knowing Mike may live on through saving the lives of others. On Monday February 8th the family was brought together at his bedside. They prayed as they said their goodbyes to the Husband, Father and Son they so dearly loved. When the time came to remove Mike from life-support, his son Steve prayed over his Dad as his mom Gail and daughter Wendy held his hand and the love of his life Kathy gave him one last kiss. He peacefully left this life and moved into his forever life with God.
Mike was loved by his family and friends alike. He was the kindest most wonderful husband, father, son, and friend. Mike was the sole provider for he and Kathy, and she needs our help. Mike was only 50 when tragedy struck, he did have a pension and a small life insurance policy through the Union. Unfortunately, Mike did not have a pre-burial plan. The last thing Kathy and Mike’s family needs is financial hardship as they are making his final arrangements and starting their journey through the grieving process. Please if you can help Kathy and their family in anyway, please consider donating.
Mike was a devoted and loyal member of the Pipefitter Union, Local 597 for 18 years. Mike’s father-in-law was a member of Local 597 for over 40 year, his son Steve has been a member of Local 597 for 13 years, along with Mike’s brother-in-law Don Ingalls. Mike was well respected and loved among his fellow union members. Mike was one of the most genuine people and genuinely cared about those he worked with.
The family wants to thank everyone for their support and prayers during those difficult days and asks for your continued prayers for the difficult days ahead. Thank you to the Gift of Hope organization for all their support and kindness, and to the phenomenal medical staff at Loyola ICU-Burn Unit. Thank you, with love and appreciation in honor of Mike Sherman and the Sherman Family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathryn Sherman
Beneficiary