Sherman "Sherm" Bea Elder of Muskogee, Oklahoma was born August 24, 1936 in Big Cedar, Oklahoma to Bea and Violet Eva (Windle) Elder and passed away on July 2, 2022 in Muskogee, Oklahoma at the age of 85.
He is survived by:
His wife of 67 years:
Glenda Elder of the home
Two sons:
Don Elder and wife Stella of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Bob Elder and wife Brenda of Muskogee, Oklahoma
One daughter:
Sherril Flood and husband Richard of Muskogee, Oklahoma
Three sisters:
Violet Swift
Clemasue Volk
Wilma Fowler
Eight grandchildren:
Andrea Worden, Billy Elder, Nathan Broderick, Aaron Elder, Mitchell Elder, Joseph Younger, Matthew Elder, and Joel Chan
Six great-grandchildren
Two sisters-in-law:
Patsy Elder
Atha Sims
Two brothers-in-law:
Stanley Fowler
Hershal Sims
Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loved ones, and friends
He was preceded in death by his parents Bea and Violet Eva Elder; and one son, William Bea Elder.
Sherm loved life and enjoyed doing a variety of things. He married Glenda Mae Sims, the love of his life, at the age of 18 and spent the next 67 years with her working, traveling, and raising a family of three boys and one girl. He discovered flying at the age of 19 and built a career around flying and working as an Aircraft Mechanic. He loved sharing his expertise with younger folks and for the last 23 years of his career in aviation, he ran the Aircraft Mechanic program at the Indian Capitol Area Vocational Technical School in Muskogee. His co-workers all considered him an innovative mechanic, a problem solver, and frequently brought their mechanical problems to him.
Sherm loved the Lord, loved to read his Bible through every year, and was considered a Bible Scholar by many. He spent years in the ministry, pastoring small Baptist Churches, and teaching Bible classes. His final ministry was to the Veterans of Claremore, Oklahoma at the Veterans Center, where he walked around carrying his Bible and witnessing to the staff and veterans. Sherm loved his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He will be missed dearly by all.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at Mt. View Baptist Church in the Glendale Community with Reverend Tim Trent and Brother Gary Jobe officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. View Cemetery in the Glendale Community under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener, Oklahoma.
Pallbearers will be: His Sons and Grandsons
Viewing will be from Noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home.




Funeral Service
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
10:00 AM
Mt. View Baptist Church
Glendale Community,