"Aunty Emma was one of a kind and I am so glad that she was MY AUNTY!. She always had lots of hugs for all of us. We could sit and talk for hours and I can still hear her laughter. Aunty would save everything for school projects for all the kids in the neighborhood. As a teacher, I can appreciate her always thinking ahead. As my 2 boys grew, we shared so many stories of children, not only mine but hers too! Aunty Emma was a wonderful Mom and always had a special gentleness that the children recognised and loved. Jackie and Jeff you knew that of course and she knew how much you both loved her too! My boys would go right over to her and crawl up on her lap for a story or just a hug. Whenever we had the chance to get together, even though it wasn't often enough, we would have wonderfully special times together. We would dread the time for Uncle Jack and Aunty to be leaving. This was the time when she would start to cry and this would make us start to cry and everytime we knew this was going to happen....then we would all start to laugh... even Aunty Emma, through the tears would laugh. Our times together were filled with lots of hugs, good food, stories and laughter. Remember that smile and that wonderful laughter!"
In loving memory of
Emma E. Herman
February 18, 1934 - April 24, 2003
Emma Herman, 69, of 387 E M-35 State Highway, Gwinn, entered into God's Kingdom on April 24th 2003 at the Norlite Nursing Center where she had resided for the past 3 years during her battle with "early" Alzheimers disease.
Born February 18, 1934 in North Dover, Maryland, a daughter of the late Charles and Mildred (Haines) Sullivan; she was raised in Reisterstown, Maryland.
In June of 1952, Emma joined the United States Air Force (USAF) and was assigned to Griffis Air Force Base (AFB), NY as a ground radio and radar technician. Her technical training class produced the first women in the Air Force authorized to work on aircraft radar (B-17, B-29).
On December 10, 1954 she married John Brayton "Jack" Herman, an aircraft mechanic in the USAF, in Rome, NY. In 1955, Emma completed her Air Force enlistment and left the service to start a family and support her husband's Air Force career of 27 years. The couple moved to Langley AFB, VA in 1968 where Jack served two assignments in Vietnam. During this period Emma took care of the family and used her AF training to work for NASA on production of the Mercury satellite. The family moved to the Gwinn area in 1972 upon reassignment to K.I. Sawyer AFB.
Emma was known for her loving and giving nature always putting the needs of others above her own. She served many years as a Red Cross volunteer at the base hospital and supported the "meals on wheels" program for the elderly in the Gwinn community. From 1979-1986 Emma was intimately involved in raising and loving her three grandchildren while her daughter was assigned to K.I. Sawyer AFB.
A devoted wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and proud grandmother; she is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, SMSgt (Ret) Jack Herman of Gwinn; her daughter CMSgt (Ret) Jackie (Alvin) Peterson of Anchorage, AK; her son CMSgt Jeff Herman of Warner Robins, GA; sister Anita (Richard) Smith of Downingtown, PA; her brother-in-law Robert (Georgia) Herman of Whitefield, NH; her niece Joan (Charles) Martin of McCool, MS; her nephews John Diehl of McCool, MS and Joe Smith of Downington, PA, Peggy (Paul) Caron of Lakeville, MA, Cathy (Joe) Moreira of New Bedford, MA, Lisa (Wayne) Mello of Oxford, MA, Bobby Herman of Merrimack, NH, Suzie (Billy) Tivey of East Freetown, MA; and her grandchildren Jennifer Stanfield of Portland, OR and Carmen and Lloyd Stanfield of Anchorage, Alaska.
She was preceded in death by her Father and Mother; sisters Carrie Bortner of Westminister, MD and Blanche Diehl of Baltimore, MD and her nephew Charles Diehl of West VA.
A service of remembrance in celebration of Emma's life will be held 28 April 2003, Monday evening at First Baptist Church at 195 North Billings St in Gwinn with Pastor Ron Libey presiding. The family will be receiving relatives and friends from
4:00 to 5:00 pm, the service will begin at 5:00 pm and a reception will follow. Inurnment will be made in the Forsyth Township Cemetery, Gwinn.
Those who wish to make an expression of sympathy may consider the Activities Section of the Norlite Nursing Home of 701 Homestead, Marquette, MI 49855 or Alzheimers Greater Michigan Chapter, Upper Peninsula Region, 710 Chippewa Square, Suite 201, Marquette, MI, 49855.
Tributes
"I Remember - So many memories rush to my mind, Memories of warmth and the family fun kind, Vacations together; cousins at play - Virginia and Lakeville connected that way. I can still see her standing behind the screen door, Her hands in a dish towel wrapped in a chore, Busy, yet smiling her arms open wide, I go into them welcome, there's no need to hide. The warmth that I felt as she hugged me still stays - And will remain in my heart till the end of my days... I will always hear her laughter and see the smile on her face, God in his glory has made her a place, She sits by his side and looks down from above, She's a bright shining angel full of kindness and love. She's the new buds in spring time, the blue cloudless sky, She's all that is goodness; a new baby's cry. I'll remember the warmth and the love she did give, And I'll never forget her - For as long as I live...."
"Aunty Emma always had a smile that will never be forgotten. I remember as kids we always got so excited when Aunty Emma,Uncle Jack, Jeff and Jackie were coming to visit. I miss those days. Aunty Emma has now gone to a better place to be with God and I will truely miss her."
"Aunty Emma was and will always be my "favorite" Aunty. She was so kind and always smiling. I can still hear her saying "Hi Suzie" in that accent I loved. I always enjoyed talking to Aunty, she was filled with so many interesting stories. I looked forward to the time when Aunty Emma, Uncle Jack, Jackie and Jeff would come to visit, they were always laughing, and it seemed to be contagious. I will truly miss Aunty Emma, but will forever remember her in my heart, because as I said, "Aunty will always be my "favorite"."
"Jackie, Jack & Jeff: My heart is saddened at this news but know that mom is at peace now. Know that god has chosen her for special work. Know that I am thinking about all of you at this time of sorrow. May god continue to bless each of you and keep you strong. Reuben & Sandy Bell"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Joe and I want you to know that we are thinking of you Uncle Jack, Jackie and Jeff. Auntie Emma had a special way about her that was a wonderful gift. She always brought out the best in others, especially her family. We always looked forward to visiting you and yours. I remember asking Auntie to say repeatedly "Is the coffee pot hot?" just so we could hear that southern accent of hers. We were all fortunate for having known her! She had no false pretenses, and always acted from her heart. She will be missed but never forgotten."
"May the wonderful memories replace any pain or sorrow you may feel during this time. Reflect upon the joy, laughter, and love for which she filled your lives, and draw strength in knowing that will never be lost. For those are the things that helped shape who you and guide you through life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."
"Chief Herman & Family, Our prayers go out to you and your family at this time in your lives. May you have a safe trip upon your return. CMS (ret) Marvin & Genet James"
"Life is eternal and love is immortal And death is a gateway, an entrance and portal Into a life that no man can envision, For God has a greater perspective and vision. Helen Steiner Rice You all are in my prayers."
"Chief Herman, I wish for you and your family that Almighty God would keep you in His care and that you will remember the words of God spoken by David; 'I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread'. Just like He took care of David in the Lion's Den, He will comfort you and your family during this time of sadness. Remember all of the joy Ms. Emma brought to you and others during her lifetime. Remember her faith and strength. She deserves rest from her labor and relief from the pains of life, both in the body and the soul. May God give you His peace and a desire to accept His will."
"I know you will find comfort in knowing that your dear sweet Emma has gone to a wonderful place, free of pain or sorrow. May you gain strenghth during this difficult time from your faith in God. My thoughts and prayers will be with you."
"Jack, Our deepest sympathy's are with you and your family at this time of loss Your in our prayers. Dee(Cuff),Greg and Mathew Adams Bert Cuff"
"I was so grateful to have known such a wonderful lady who I called my dear friend.Emma may have left us but will never be forgotten,she will continue to help others in a better place,but will alway's be watching over her loved ones."
"Chief Herman, I would like to pass my thoughts and prayers to you and your family. God bless you and your family at a time of a great loss. God bless you. Patti and Amanda"
"Emma's spirituality and care for others obviously passed to Jeff and I'm sure to the rest of her children. The lessons they and the grandchildren learned from her will live on forever."
"Jack and Family - Sorry we couldn't make it to the services. You have been in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest condolences to you. Papa Jack, we hope to see you around Gwinn sometime. Kathy, Pat, and Danielle Malay"
"Fortunate Son ... When I count God's blessings in my life images of my Parents (Jack & Emma Herman) are foremost on my mind. A Father and Mother who loved their children without reservation. God was with Mom and our family every step of the way during her ten year struggle with Alzheimer's. Mom had the early Alzheimer's gene and the disease began to slowly erode her mind at the age of 58. Soon I became a friend to her or that "nice man" instead of her son. But, God reminded me of the countless days Mom proudly claimed me as her own and that was enough to sustain me. The bond established between my Mother & Father during these days reached the "oneness" expressed in the Bible. God gave strength to my Dad who demonstrated the self sacrafice, love and devotion God intended in marriage between a man and a woman. My Mother's spirit shined throughout her ordeal with Alzheimer's and she was a loving witness to the Nursing Center and to family and friends. Mom has joined God in His Kingdom of eternal life and is rejoicing with family and friends who are in Christ Jesus. I look forward to reuniting with her on a day of God's choosing. For now, our family continues to share its love ... Dad, Jackie (my sister ... blessing #2(: and me with the world around us. We will have more opportunities and moments to enjoy each other's company in the days ahead as God continues His plan for all our lives. I am truly a "fortunate son" to have been raised by a loving Mom & Dad and to have a Father in Heaven who continues to express His blessings in my life."