Sherman Bice

Sherman Lee Bice, 64, passed away on May 2, 2018, after a battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of the Oxford area, Sherman was one of six children, born on August 2, 1953 to Thelma (Thomas) and Francis Bice. He was always the ornery little brother. His stories of rotten egg fights, county fair pranks, and late nights in his ’71 Cuda, made us wonder how he ever graduated from Benton Central High School in 1971. With his charming ways, he convinced Mary Jo Muller to marry him on August 9, 1975. Sherman and Mary Jo started their family while living in Benton County. Sherman farmed and worked in construction during those early days of their marriage. He enjoyed playing in a softball league, golfing, and playing cards. They moved back to the Oxford area in 1985. Sherman then went to work full-time in construction with Gick Construction, then R.L. Turner and Sons, before owning Bice Construction for 10 years. Sherman then went to work for Skillman Corp. as the Superintendent of construction for Prairie Crossing Elementary. When the building was completed in 2006, he transitioned to become the Director of Facilities for Benton Community School Corporation. His job in the schools enabled to him to see many of his grandchildren every day. Sherman adored his family…and his grandfather’s John Deere A. Every year, Sherman would load up a wagon with his mother, wife, daughters, and grandkids to pull behind the tractor in the Dan Patch Parade. When the parade was over, his friends would climb aboard for the annual hayride around Oxford Lake (or it could have just been the sewage treatment pond). Sherman had been a member of Oak Grove Country Club and Dan Patch Conservation Club. Sherman will be dearly missed by his wife of 42 years and his children: Danette (Lee) Lukaszka and Justin (Ashley) Bice of Oxford, and Genessa (Josh) Robinson of Fowler. He leaves behind his nine grandchildren: Cole, Ava, and Brennan Lukaszka; Gavin, Hannah, and Logan Bice; and Lynlie, Lexi, and Luke Robinson. He is also survived by his mother, Thelma Bice, of Lafayette; a brother, Lin (Jane) Bice of West Lafayette, and sisters: Cindy (Lon) Garriott of Attica and Marcia Hawkins (late husband, June) of Lafayette. The list goes on with Mary Jo’s ten remaining siblings, whom Sherm loved like his own, dozens of nieces and nephews, and too many friends to count. Sherman was preceded in death by his father, Francis, two sisters, Kathy Lou and Priscilla, and Mary Jo’s parents, Mary (Gretencord) Muller Gee and Sylvester Muller, and her step-father, Gordon Gee. A wake will be held on Thursday May 10 from 4-8 PM at Fowler Christian Church. The funeral service will held at the church at 10:30 AM on Friday May 11th, with burial to follow at Mt. Gilboa Cemetery. Sherman enjoyed taking his John Deere A to the Illiana Steam and Power show in Rainsville each July; memorial contributions may be made to the Illiana Antique Power Association (3618 Donna Dr. Lafayette, IN 47905) or the Dan Patch Days Community Festival (c/o Oxford Lions Club-PO Box 463, Oxford, IN 47971). Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Oxford is caring for the Bice family. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com