Thursday, November 12, 2015
Sherwood Shaver, his two brothers and his seven sisters grew up on Pansy Street in Troy Township. Sherwood graduated from Big Beaver High School and attended the Pontiac Business Institute before enlisting in the US Army on December 3, 1942. Assigned to the 153rd Field Artillery Battalion during World War II, he saw combat in Normandy, Northern France, and in Germany, where he was wounded and lost his left hand. For his military service, Shaver was awarded the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, and World War II Victory Medal.
When he returned to Troy, Sherwood, also known as “Woody,” married Arline DeLoy. They had two children. He worked as Troy’s Postmaster from1945 to 1979 and served as the national chairman for the Postmasters Association’s commission for equal employment opportunities for the handicapped. Shaver also became a member of the American Legion and a life member of Disabled American Veterans.
Mr. Shaver was a respected civic volunteer. He served as a member of the Troy City Council for seven years; on the Planning Commission for four years; the Traffic and Safety Committee for six years; the Municipal Building Authority for six years; the Economic Development Committee; Liquor Advisory Committee; and the Troy Youth Assistance Advisory Committee. He was a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals at the time of his death.
In addition to his professional and civic service, Sherwood was a member of numerous community organizations including Troy Rotary, Troy Exchange Club, Troy Metropolitan Club, Friends of the Troy Public Library, and the Emerald Lakes Homeowners Association. He was also an active member of the Boy Scouts for 28 years.
For his outstanding service Sherwood Shaver was recognized as Troy’s Distinguished Citizen in 1975. He received numerous other awards including the Exchange Club’s “Book of Golden Deeds” and the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Troy Rotary in 1985.
Mr. Shaver passed away on March 9, 1995.
Photo:
Sherwood Shaver in 1943
Sources:
Troy Historic Village Obituary File
Troy: A City from the Corners, Loraine Campbell Editor, 2004
When Our Country Called, Troy Historical Museum, 2001
To commemorate the City of Troy’s 60th Anniversary in 2015, we will publish a different story each day that highlights a person, discovery, or event that occurred locally, regionally, nationally, or even globally between 1955 and 2015 and that helped shape our lives and our community. We will try to post stories on important anniversary dates, but we also realize that dates are less critical than content and context. We will include the facts related to controversial stories, allowing our readers to form their own opinions. We invite you to read and comment on the stories. Your suggestions for topics are also welcome and can be posted on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TroyHistoricVillage. You can also email stories or ideas to the 365 Story Editor at ed@thvmail.org.
