California man bequeaths $262,000 to Sheldon school

Most schools are in the middle of a funding crisis right now, and the Sheldon R-8 School District is no different. However, the Sheldon district is better off than some because of the generosity of a former student.

Max Wisehart grew up attending Sheldon schools and graduated as the senior class president in 1947. His brother Jim stayed in the area and went into the banking business, but Max went to California and settled in Sacramento where he became successful in the real estate business. That success made it possible for him to leave 75 percent of his estate -- $262,195.73 to the Sheldon High School.

According to Greg Bryant, a friend and one of the trustees of Wisehart's estate, the balance of the estate went to some of Wisehart's cousins and a couple of acquaintances. Bryant, who lives in Sacramento, Calif., met Wisehart in a coffee shop group there and said Wisehart offered him advice and friendship for several years. As a trustee, Bryant said he recommended the school use part of the money for "a memorial" to Wisehart "or something appropriate enough for a man that would do something like that for his hometown school."

Wisehart's long-time friend and lifelong Sheldon resident Darlene Sheridan kept in contact with Wisehart and said the two of them had discussed a memorial to Wisehart's aunt Florence Wisehart who taught school in the Prairie Dell country school before she began teaching elementary school in Sheldon. Miss Flo as she was known taught at Sheldon for many, many years.

Sheridan said she and Wisehart spent many hours talking "after his brother passed away" in December of 2007. Sheridan said "I almost cried" when Tim Judd, the Sheldon school district superintendent, told her about the donation.

Wisehart was "a gentle person," she said, "He never had a negative remark" about anything or anyone.

Sheridan is very active in the Sheldon High School Alumni Association and said she hopes part of the money can be used to preserve the old high school she and Wisehart attended.

The Sheldon school board has no immediate plans for the money according to Judd.

The board knew shortly after Wisehart's death on Sept. 19, 2011, that the school was mentioned in the will and "waited around patiently," according to Judd. Bryant mailed Judd the check on Saturday, March 31, and Judd presented it at the next school board meeting to take place after he received it. The board has decided to "bank" the money for the time being.

Judd said, "the money comes at a good time." Schools are losing revenue and it's hard to maintain. Judd also said that getting the phone call and check from Bryant was "kind of a shock" but a warm feeling, knowing the school's benefactor had fond memories of Sheldon High School.