John "Jack" Howland Sherman, Sr

John Howland Sherman, Sr. “Jack”, 93, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, was called home to heaven to join his beloved wife Betsey on Monday, December 10, 2018 after entering hospice in November 2017 for chronic kidney failure. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Services will be held at 11am on Friday, December 28 at First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, Ill. with a light lunch following in the Fellowship Hall.

Jack was born on July 4, 1925 in Evanston, Ill., the son of Benjamin Howland and Katharine (nee Sheffield) Sherman. Jack graduated at age 20 from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in Electrical Engineering and immediately served as an Engineering Officer in the US Navy during World War II. He went on to earn his patent law degree from Kent College of Law (then a night law school, now Chicago-Kent, within the Illinois Institute of Technology). While attending a young adult bible study group, he caught the attention of his future wife Betsey. They were later married on September 10, 1949 at Morgan Park Baptist Church in Chicago. In 1960, they settled in Crystal Lake and attended First Congregational Church for many years. In 1989, Jack and Betsey moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa so Jack could continue his work as Chief Intellectual Property Counsel for Norand Corporation, later known as Intermec Technologies Corporation. After Betsey passed in 2007, Jack returned to Crystal Lake to live with his youngest daughter Ann and her family. Jack enjoyed a vast and interesting career as a well-respected patent attorney, starting at the Hill Firm in Chicago in his early 20s and continuing to work as an independent consultant to Honeywell Corporation until October of 2017. At the age of 92, he resigned from the Illinois Bar Association and just about a month ago, he sent in his official resignation to the US Patent Office.

Jack will be deeply missed by his loving children (and spouses): Mary Beth Garasky (Tom) of Kirkwood, Mo., Jane Johnsen (Pete) of Woodbury, Minn., Jack Sherman, Jr. of Santa Fe, N.M., Connie Moore (Dennis) of Cedar Park, Texas, Chuck Sherman (Lori) of Crystal Lake, Ill., and Ann Tucker (Jeremy) of Crystal Lake, Ill.; thirteen grandchildren: Christie and Katie Garasky, Dr. Ingrid Johnsen Haas (Tony), Eric Johnsen (Tess), Curtis Johnsen, Chase’kua Moore, Gennet Baird, Cory Moore, Ben Moore (Rachel), Will Moore, Maggie, Ryan, and Emily Tucker; five great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and one more great-grandson expected in March 2019. His brother, William Sherman of Charlottesville, Va., and sister, Margaret (Peggy) Kennedy of Placentia, Calif., along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members will cherish his memory. His parents, his beloved wife Betsey of 57 years, his sister Mary Sue, and grandson Bradley Moore preceded him in death.

Jack’s family is forever grateful for his JourneyCare hospice team, especially his nurse Patty, who cared for him and also helped the family through this journey. We also appreciate the Home Instead caregivers who worked tirelessly to care for Jack, especially those who took the night shift on a regular basis.

Friends may send flowers or donate to a charity of their choice in Jack’s honor.