On September 19th, Penny Wheeler Sherrill joined her husband for a hamburger at the malt shop in the sky.
Born Dorothy White in Concho, OK on April 22nd she was adopted by her mother, Opal June Newman- Graves and her father Francis Muskogee Wheeler in Fairfax, OK and became Penelope Wheeler. The couple parted, and Penny spent much of her time between grandmother’s farm and Tulsa. In 1955 her mother married Dolph Graves who loved her as his own. Penny remained in Tulsa to take a job at the Tulsa World where she would meet the love of her life, Robert Sherrill. They were married on July 20, 1963 in Tulsa, OK.
They lived in Tulsa for a short time until Bob was hired by Dresser Oil; relocating the couple to Texas and had a daughter Christi in October 1969. In 1975, the trio embarked on the adventure of a lifetime following Bob across the globe to SE Asia and the Middle East. By the time the family return to the US, Penny had traveled to all continents and had visited over 20 countries. In 1980, Bob and Penny moved to Casper, WY where their son Cody was born in December. The family’s overseas adventures were not complete, moving to Jakarta, Indonesia until 1986 when Bob and Penny settled permanently in Sapulpa, OK.
Penny was always active in the LDS church and attended sacrament services regularly at the Sapulpa Ward. She enjoyed working with her brothers and sisters in the church as a primary teacher and librarian. She also volunteered with Bob for the American Red Cross helping victims with a kind word and compassion. After Bob’s death in 2012, she moved to Vancouver, WA to be closer to her children and enjoying retirement. Penny learned there that she was an ace at Beanbag Baseball and made many friends who remember her fondly. Regardless of country, nationality, or heritage anyone who met Penny loved her instantly for her caring and compassionate personality.
Penny is survived by her daughter Christi and son-in-law Matthew Naccarato as well as her son Cody Sherrill and his children, Jocelynn and Quentin Sherrill. She is also survived by her sister, Pauline White Wahpepah of Shawnee, OK. Penny is remembered fondly by family friend, Jason Dalitz and the Sapulpa Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg, Washington were entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.steward-williams.com .
