Luther "Luke" Pierce Sherman

Luther “Luke” Pierce Sherman, age 38, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on January 13, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

Luke was born December 3, 1987, in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to Ronald Sherman and Betty Embry Sherman, during his mother’s service in the United States Navy. He spent his early childhood in San Diego, California. When Luke was six years old, the family returned to Lamar, Missouri, where he attended elementary school and middle school through the eighth grade. He later attended high school in Springfield, Missouri. In 2006, the family settled in Joplin, which remained Luke’s home until his passing.

Luke traveled extensively for work early in his career, helping to build water tanks across the country. He later served the City of Joplin in the Parks and Recreation Department as a groundskeeper. Luke went on to spend several years as a manager at Downstream Golf Course in Quapaw, Oklahoma, where he worked in groundskeeping and landscaping.

Luke was passionate and highly knowledgeable about vehicle mechanics and enjoyed working on motorcycles and automotive projects. He loved fishing and would have gone every day if he could. An avid outdoorsman, Luke enjoyed riding dirt bikes, mountain bike racing, camping, and spending time outdoors. He also had a deep appreciation for music of all genres and loved traveling.

Luke was deeply family-oriented and made every effort to attend family gatherings, no matter the distance. He was very knowledgeable about firearms and was an avid collector. Above all else, Luke’s greatest love was his daughter, Paislee—his “baby girl” and “princess.”

Survivors include his mother, Betty Embry Sherman; his daughter, Paislee Sherman; four brothers, Franco Embry, Patrick Smith, Ronald Sherman, and Levi Barnard; and four sisters, Chelsea Sherman, Golda Sherman-Burns, Kendra Sherman, and Kisha Borden.

Luke was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Sherman.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Daniel Funeral Home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamasr.com.