Sherman Leroy McKinniss

Sherman Leroy McKinniss, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior in Rancho Mirage, CA, on September 20, 2025, at the age of 89, surrounded by family.

He was born in 1936 in the small township of Hawks, OH, to the late Darrell and Maude (Erwin) McKinniss, the fourth of fourteen children. Sherman attended Marseilles High School, class of 1954, and he married his high school sweetheart, Carol (Hensel).

Sherman excelled at sports in high school and beyond. He played basketball, fast pitch softball, and enjoyed fishing, hunting and golf. He was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame in 1990.

A hard worker from day one, Sherman also made a name for himself as a titan of industry in the field of rotationally molded plastics. His entrepreneurial spirit brought him out to California, where at the age of 38, he became the founder and CEO of Rotational Molding Inc., a manufacturing plant in Gardena. He expanded the company, and at its peak, he presided over 10 locations throughout the United States. Sherman dedicated over 40 years of his life to the industry and was a founding member of the International Association of Rotational Molders (ARM). Well-known by many rotational molders to whom he had lent a helping hand, Sherman was inducted into the ARM Hall of Fame in 1997.

Sherman retired to the Palm Desert Greens community, where he became an avid golfer, board President, active community member, and friend to many.

Men of his generation tend to be judged by their professional accomplishments. He excelled in this regard, but he took immense pride in being the patriarch of his family. He led by example and passed along his strong convictions and relentless work ethic. He believed in striving to be the best you can be in every endeavor. He was a doting father to his girls, who loved him dearly and cared for him in return. His grandchildren fondly remember him as a strong leader, the patriarch of the family, and a force for fun, especially when dressed as Santa for Christmas.

Sherman is survived by his wife Carol and his loving daughters and their families: Brenda (Larry) DeDonato, and their son Mark (Bethany) DeDonato; Dawn Whitney and her children Danielle (Frank) Moore, Desiree (Mark) Chavez, Ryan Whitney, and Braden Whitney; Margaret Joan (Douglas) Russell and their children Shannon (Richard) Martin, Shari Russell, Leesa (Zachary) Greenawalt, Laura Russell, and Nicole Russell; and Sherri Lee (Mario) Poma and their children Kyle (Chelsea) Poma, Kristine (Jonathan) Rallo, and Gregory Poma. He is also survived by his twelve great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his son-in-law, Robert Whitney, and granddaughter, Carolynne Lee Whitney.

Attendance at the funeral service will be family-only; however, the family invites any who would like to live stream the service to do so at the links provided below.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Palm Desert Greens Clubhouse on Sunday, October 5, at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in memory of Sherman to the Rainbow Services of San Pedro Women's & Children's Shelter (link below) or the Palm Desert Greens Flag Fund (checks made payable to PDG Flag Fund and mailed to Erma Hanks, 73450 Desert Greens Dr. N., Palm Desert, CA 92260).

Rest in peace, dear Sherman. We will forever hold you in our hearts.