Monday, November 3, 2025 at 10:40 AM
BREMEN - Jerry Jay Sheneman, 84, of Bremen passed away October 30, 2025, at his home.
He was born June 22, 1941 in Bremen, the son of Omer and Lillian Renas Sheneman. Jerry attended school in Bremen, graduating from Bremen High School in 1959.
Jerry married Joyce Henderson on March 11, 1962, in Bremen where they raised three daughters – Amy, Jami and Jodi.
Jerry always loved working on cars, both those he drove around town and the cars he raced. Known to his friends as Bro, a nickname given by a close childhood friend, Jerry and his family spent many hours in a car and at locations around Michiana for his drag racing.
Jerry also owned the Mobil Gas Station in Bremen, eventually moving it to his own garage – Jerry’s Garage. He also worked many years for the Town of Bremen in different capacities. He served the Bremen Public Schools as transportation director and as a bus driver, carrying hundreds of kids to school, sports and other events. Most recently he drove high school students to the Elkhart Career Center.
Jerry was also very active in the Bremen Men’s Fast Pitch softball league where he played, umpired and organized many tournaments, including the semi-state tournament in 1979.
Many years ago, Jerry started buying pens with his name on it to hand out to people. He enjoyed the smiles he received back from the recipients. He was always willing to help people. He also enjoyed creating metal wind spinners and wooden games. Jerry was also a prankster and loved pulling jokes and pranks on family and friends, especially his best friends.
Jerry and Joyce loved their family, and they spent many hours in lawn chairs and on bleachers watching their grandchildren play sports. Many special memories were made on the numerous vacations spent together in St. Augustine, Florida.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Jerry is survived by his daughters – Amy Lashbrook of Bremen, Jami DeYoung and husband Jeff of Malvern, Iowa, and Jodi Harshbarger and husband Doug of Plymouth; five grandchildren – Lauren Miller and husband Braxston of Bremen, Alex Harshbarger of Elkhart, Taylor Coffel and husband Austin of Bremen, Alexa Seimer and husband Ethan of Fort Towson, Oklahoma, and Carter Harshbarger of Mishawaka; his step-grandchildren, Josh DeYoung of Omaha, Nebraska, and Rachel DeYoung Bland and her husband Brandon of Kansas City, Missouri; five great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Jerry is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Joyce Sheneman, and his parents and brothers, Tony and Dick Sheneman.
Services will be held Thursday, November 6 at 6 p.m. at Bremen Church of the Brethren, 921 Woodies Ln, Bremen, IN 46506 with the Rev. Wyatt Smith officiating. Visitation with the family will be prior to the service from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Bremen Church of the Brethren Memorial Garden.
Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home of Plymouth is in charge of arrangements.
