Wilma Jean Boerner of Sherman, 74 year-old retired GTE employee, passed away at her home Friday evening, Oct. 17, 2008.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Rev. Jeremy Myers of the church will be the celebrant and the burial will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home.

Wilma was born September 2, 1934 in Tioga, Texas to the late Willie R. and Mollie Alexander Wells. After graduation from Tioga High School she married A. W. (Al) Boerner of Pilot Point, Texas on January 3, 1953. Moving to Sherman the couple celebrated their 49th and last anniversary in 2002, the year Al left this earth. Their beloved son, David of Lavon, Texas completed the loving family in 1960. Although the Boerner's traveled America extensively, they resided only in the Sherman community where they were faithful members of St. Mary's church and school.

Wilma was a dedicated and loyal employee of GTE for almost 32 years. On her recent 74th birthday ladies from the GTE Pioneers of Texoma gave her a party at her home. It was Wilma's concept that resulted in the group's formation in 1984. The ongoing group of retirees and former employees meet quarterly for a luncheon, fellowship and business. Another group to which she committed her service was the St. Mary's Women's Guild ministry of serving meals to the family and friends of deceased church members.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, whose sole occupation for 36 years was as an accountant for Day Manufacturing Company of Sherman, her parents, two brothers, Donald and Wayne Wells. She is survived by her son, David and his wife, Amy NeSmith Boerner, and grandsons Christopher and Nicholas, both now attending Texas Christian University.

A rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 in the Waldo Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM prior to the rosary, and also immediately following the rosary. Condolences may be placed online at Waldofuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Building Fund, American Cancer Society, or to one's charity of choice.

?Sincerity, truth, faithfulness, come into the very essence of friendship?Wm. Ellery Channing. Wilma Jean Boerner, devoted wife, mother and friend, will be missed by many. The family would like to extend its gratitude to all of Wilma's caregivers at Seven Sisters, Grayson Home Health and Grayson County Home Hospice.