Elma Vernooy Sherman, born on May 25, 1935, died on August 14, 2025. She was 90 years old. She was predeceased by Oscar L. Sherman, and they would have been married 67 years on September 21, 2025. Predeceased by her father, who was Harry L. Vernooy; mother Grace Hodge Vernooy; and brother Walter Vernooy and sister-in-law Betty Vernooy.
Elma is survived by her daughter Cynthia Sherman Burkle and husband Craig (Burkie) Burkle of Narrowsburg, NY; grandson Brett Burkle and wife Pepsine Burkle; granddaughter Kristina Burkle and fiancée Joseph Crespo; great-grandsons Treacy Hillegas and Takoda Crespo of Narrowsburg; Alaric Burkle of Monticello, NY; and Joseph Crespo Jr. and great-granddaughter Hazel Crespo of Fosterdale, NY.

She went to a one-room schoolhouse in Wawarsink, NY from 1st to 8th grade and then attended Ellenville High School, where she graduated in 1953. Right out of high school, she went to work with the Home National Bank—and the name changed in 1956 to Ellenville National Bank—as a proofer. She worked part-time for the U.S. Postal Service as a clerk for a few short months in 1983. She worked for George Burkle Insurance from 1989 to 1994 as a CSR in the Narrowsburg Office.

She belonged to many organizations: the Yulan Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary as a Treasurer and also helped out with the Yulan Clam Bake every September; the Penn York Snow Seekers (snow mobile club) as the Treasurer; C.B. Club – Penn York as the Treasurer; Bakers Dollies Shuffleboard Club from 2010 to present, until she was unable to push pucks down the shuffleboard; and the Highland Senior Center, playing Mexican dominos and Bingo.

Her favorite things were butterflies, hummingbirds and gardening, and her favorite flower was a peony.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday, August 22 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Harrison Rasmussen Funeral Home of Barryville, NY 12719. Funeral service will be held afterward on Friday, August 22 in the funeral home.

Donations may be made to Yulan Fire Department, 216 Airport Road, Yulan NY 12792, or the Highland Ambulance Service, PO Box 215, Yulan, NY 12792.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Harrison Rasmussen Funeral Home of Barryville, NY. 3412 Rte. 97 Barryville, NY 12719. 845/557-8010