If you ever sat in a math class and thought, “This teacher means business,” there’s a good chance you met Sheri Bowman—and if you passed, you probably learned more than math along the way.
Sheri Bowman, 72, of Bellville, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026 in OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. She was born on September 9, 1953, in Mansfield, Ohio, to Wilbur McCallister and Myrta Levering. A proud graduate of Mansfield Senior High School, Sheri went on to attend The Ohio State University in Columbus, earning her degree in education—an achievement she wore with Buckeye pride for the rest of her life. (Go Bucks!)
Sheri began her teaching career in Wooster, where she taught for four years before finding her professional home in the Clear Fork School System. She spent the majority of her remarkable 37-year career shaping young minds—first at Butler Junior High and then at Clear Fork High School—where she became a legend in the math department. Sheri taught math, but more importantly, she taught responsibility, accountability, and the value of hard work. She expected effort, not perfection. If a student wasn’t good at math, that was okay—as long as they were willing to give their best and be a good person.
She influenced generations of students throughout the valley and was often stopped years later by former students eager to thank her for the life lessons she taught—sometimes admitting, with a smile, that they thought she was “tough” at the time. Sheri would have considered that a job well done.
Outside the classroom, Sheri enjoyed cross-stitching with her sisters—weekly, if not more often—creating large, intricate works of art. She had a fondness for collecting nutcrackers and Beanie Babies, was a devoted Ohio State Buckeyes football fan, and loved spending time on the golf course. She played in several leagues and especially cherished golfing with her husband and children.
Sheri was also a faithful supporter of Clear Fork athletics, rarely missing her children’s games and extracurricular activities, and continuing to follow Clear Fork football and basketball long after they graduated.
Smart, fierce, confident, protective, outspoken, and sassy, Sheri took no nonsense—but she was also fun-loving with a sharp sense of humor. She loved deeply, stood her ground, and left a lasting impression everywhere she went.
Sheri Bowman’s legacy lives on in her family. She loved each of them fiercely and each will carry a special piece of Sheri and perpetuate her influence. Also carrying her legacy will be her students, and the countless lives she shaped—one equation, one lesson, and one tough-love moment at a time.
She is survived by her beloved husband Rick Bowman whom she married June 11, 1983, three children and their spouses Meredith Bowman, Bethany “Boo” and Joseph Dlesk, and Nicholas and Brandi Bowman; four grandchildren Tanner, Knox, Quinn, Charli and a fifth grandchild expected in July; three sisters and brothers-in-law Barb Kirkpatrick, Marijane and Jim Wetzel, Diane and Craig Brokaw; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Mickey McCallister, Jan and John Bowling, Sharon and Bill Hoeflich, Dave Stanfield, Vicki Watson, and Chris and Jim Wright along with numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Sheri was preceded in death by a brother Steve McCallister, sister-in-law, Linda Stanfield, and brother-in-law, Tony Watson.
The Bowman family will host visitation Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 3- 6 pm in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Clear Fork Valley Foundation, (PO Box 533, Bellville, Ohio 44813) or the Bellville Branch of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library (Attention: Business Office, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, 43 West 3rd Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44902).
Please visit snyderfuneralhomes.com to leave a message of support for the family and view Sheri’s tribute video.
Funeral Home: Bellville Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneral homes.com