Sherri A. (Sample) Bartrom, 60, Marion, passed away at 5:46 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, in her home surrounded by her family after fighting a courageous battle against ovarian cancer for over nine years. Sherri was born on June 30, 1957, in Elwood to Phil and Patty Sample. She graduated from Anderson High School in 1975 and was a member of the Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society. She attended Purdue University and Ball State University, and she graduated from Ball State University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and History. She married the love of her life, Michael “Mike” Bartrom, on December 19, 1980, and he survives.
Sherri worked at The Ranch Supermarket in Anderson during high school and worked in the credit department at Sears Roebuck & Co. during college. Early in her career, she taught Spanish at Blackford High School and Madison-Grant High School. She briefly taught Spanish at St. Paul Parish School until her illness made it too difficult to continue in the classroom.
Sherri co-owned VIA Development Corporation with her husband, Mike, and was President of the company for 14 years, which she sold to Autodesk, Inc., in 2003. She was co-owner with her husband of Computer Age Engineering, Inc., which they started together in their garage in 1984. She served as the Vice President and Treasurer of Computer Age and was primarily responsible for the financial aspects of the business, although she enjoyed participating in the day-to-day operations of the company until her illness. Sherri treated everyone in both companies like family. She enjoyed being part of their lives, even beyond the office.
Sherri served on the Board of Directors of Family Service Society from 2011 to 2016, and she also served as Board Chair her last year on the Board. She served on various committees for Family Service Society including finance, which was her forte. She and her husband sponsored a table annually for the Crystal Ball fundraiser for Family Service Society. She was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, and she and her husband were both involved with the St. Paul Parish School.
In her younger years, Sherri was a Brownie and Girl Scout. She was a gifted pianist, although she was extremely modest so many weren’t even aware of this gift. Sherri was an avid Anderson Indian basketball fan until her son, Daniel, started playing basketball for the Marion Giants. Purple was her favorite color long before she became a Marion Giants fan. She and her husband remained season-ticket holders for many years until she was too ill to attend games.
Sherri loved spending time with friends and family and especially her grandson, Brody, and granddaughter, Ellie. Sherri and Mike loved boating and traveling. They visited all 50 states, traveled all across Canada, both coasts of Mexico, made several trips to Europe, and visited many islands in the Caribbean. Probably her favorite part of the world was wine country in Napa and Sonoma County in Northern California. She loved the ocean and sunsets, and she always drove a zippy black car with chrome wheels.
Sherri and her husband took a huge chance when they built their house on the north side of Marion. Their dream was to build a home where their children’s friends and their families would gather. They loved to entertain, and they hosted many gatherings after school and sporting events, as well as for holidays for family, friends, and employees. Everyone was always welcome!
Sherri will be dearly missed by her loving husband, best friend, and soul mate for 36 years, Mike; children, Melissa (Kyle) Guenther, Marion, and Daniel (Lindsay) Bartrom, Marion; grandchildren, Brody Hammond and Ellie Bartrom; parents, Phil (Patty) Sample, Anderson; brother, Blaine Sample, Anderson; sister, Lisa (Pat Rice) Hobbs, Elwood; aunts, Barbara Ankrum, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Betty Cariota, Yucaipa, California, and Jeanie Foust, Kokomo; twin aunts, Sharon Bolton, Tyler, Texas, and Karen (Steve) Skinner, Kokomo; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; special niece, Jada Saroka; and her precious puggle, Sophie.
Preceding her in death were her grandparents, Marion (Cordelia) Sample and Chet (Mae) Baxter.
The family will receive visitors from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2017, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 9, 2017, officiated by Father Weisenberger. A celebration of life meal will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church, McCarthy Hall, immediately following the service. Burial will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Paul Parish School, 1009 W. Kem Rd., Marion, IN 46952 or to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, P.O. Box 32141, New York, NY 10087-2141 or at ocrfa.org/donate.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.