"Our deepest sympathy to Olga & Jacks family he was such a special man. We met Jack about 45 years ago when we purchased our first Electrolux vacuum cleaner. Through the years we purchased 2 more & still have the 1st one & us it in our hunting cabin. He was an outstanding salesman & one of the nicest men I ever had the pleasure to meet. Seeing Jack was like meeting up with a friend we'd known for life. RIP buddy"
In loving memory of
JOHN B. "JACK" HERMAN
May 7, 1935 - May 12, 2021
John B. "Jack" Herman, 86, of Gwinn, passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 12, 2021 at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming with his loving family at his side.
Jack was born on May 7, 1935 in Providence, Rhode Island, a son of the late Roy and Bertha (Cahoone) Herman. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years, retiring in 1979. He served during the Korean Conflict and also saw two tours of duty in Vietnam.
During his service in the Air Force, Jack worked as an aircraft mechanic and crew chief on C-5s, B-52s and KC-135s. He had assignments at Griffiss AFB, New York; Peas AFB, New Hampshire; Andersen AFB, Guam; Pope AFB, North Carolina; Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; Hurlburt Field, Florida; Langley AFB, Virginia; and finally K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI.
Jack was the 1st Sergeant for the 410th OMS Squadron during the last five years of his career. The "First Shirt" has a diamond in the middle of his chevron and is the Squadron Commander's right hand man for handling personnel issues. He was well suited for this special job, because he genuinely cared about people and enjoyed mentoring others to help them succeed. Jack had a way of mixing discipline with fairness and tough love that brought out the best in his "people."
Jack was also an extremely competitive individual! No matter what he was doing he was going to give it 100% and if there was a winner involved it was going to be him. This competitive nature showed up in his love for sports. He was a top bowler and shot a 299 at Sawyer Lanes in a day and age when those scores were rare. He loved racquetball and often perplexed his opponents with his left handed Z-shot off the ceiling. He played third base in the fast pitch softball league, and enjoyed golfing where he had a hole in one on the first par 3 on the back nine at Gladstone.
He worked as an Electrolux Salesman after retiring from the Air Force. One time in a demonstration he showed how Electrolux vacuums were so strong they could "suck" a bowling ball up off the floor! He also worked at the bowling centers in both Marquette and Ishpeming. His favorite task was running the bowling birthday parties. If he didn't score a piece of birthday cake via his customer service efforts then he said he was not working hard enough.
His competitive spirit was also exhibited in his card playing ability. He loved all forms of card games, but was heavily involved in Pinochle through his military career and became an advanced duplicate contract bridge player during his retirement. He joined the American Contract Bridge League and played in local and traveling tournaments where he became a "Life Master." His bridge expertise also won him the Ace of Clubs award multiple times for most master points in club play for his level during the calendar year.
You've heard about how "honey sweetens the pot." Well, Jack loved to bake and he would deliver German Chocolate Cake and his "famous" Brownies to lots of agencies and offices in the area. Did he gain an advantage over his competitors? I'll let your sweet tooth be the judge :)
Jack loved to give back to the community. He was instrumental in helping to organize the first ever Upper Peninsula co-ed softball league originating in the town of Little Lake. Jack was also a softball umpire and earned a reputation as one of the best in the region. He could handle a game on his own if needed and ran all over the field from home plate to make the calls. This was his secret for staying in shape!
His first wife, Emma, passed away from early onset Alzheimer's. During her 8 years of suffering he gave her continual devoted care. After her passing, he channelled that love and devotion toward raising funds annually for the local chapter "Walk to End Alzheimer's." He raised over $1,000 for this initiative in three consecutive years.
He is survived by his wife, Olga of Gwinn, his devoted canine companion Mandy, two children, Jacqueline (Alvin) Peterson of Anchorage, AK and Jeffrey (Valerie) Herman of Bonaire, GA; three grandchildren, Jennifer (Kevin) Eike of Tigard, OR, Carmen (Nick) Love of Duvall, WA and Lloyd (Carrie) Stanfield of Anchorage, AK; six great grandchildren, Lloyd Stanfield III, Austin Stanfield, Colson Love, Athea Love, Vincent Eike, and Victoria Eike; his brother, Robert Herman of Dartmouth, MA; his nieces and nephews, Peggy (Paul) Caron of Lakeville, MA; Cathy (Joe) Moreira of New Bedford, MA; Lisa (Wayne) Mello of Palm Coast, FL; Bobby Herman of Lawrence, MA ; Suzie Tivey of East Freetown, MA; Joan (Charles) Martin and John Diehl of McCool MS. Preceding him in death besides his parents was his first wife, Emma on April 24, 2003, sister-in-laws Anita Smith of Downingtown, PA; Blanche Diehl of Baltimore, MD; Carrie Bortner of Westminster, MD; nephew Charles Diehl of West VA and sister-in-law Georgia Herman of White Plains, NH.
A Celebration of Jack's life will take place on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Gwinn with Jack's son, Jeffrey Herman presiding. He will also be accorded military honors at that time.
In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of the donor's choice in the Gwinn area.
Canale Gwinn Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Herman family where memories of Jack may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
Tributes
"My dental office sure enjoyed his brownies. He will be missed. "
"Dear Jack's Family
My deepest sympathies to you and your family on the passing of Jack.
"Papa Jack" as I called him at the bowling alley, bowled with him many times. He was a great bowler, kindest gentleman you would ever meet. He was one of a kind. Going to miss not seeing him at NMU hockey games. RIP Papa Jack. You will be missed.
Love- Deanna (Cuff) Adams"
"My wife Sandie and I give our prayers and condolences to Jack?s family. Worked with Jack in the KC-135 Branch at KI Sawyer and was there when he became our First Sergeant. He was a great man to work with and serve under. Also had Jack come over and demonstrate the Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner which we did buy. Talked to him numerous times and enjoyed catching up with him. He surely will be missed by all. "
"I knew Jack when he umpired softball games in Little Lake many years ago. I was in my early 20?s. Jack was an outstanding umpire. Players appreciated his enthusiasm and ability to make good calls. Reading Jack?s obituary, he was a remarkable human being. God bless Jack and his family."
"I knew Jack when he umpired softball games in Little Lake many years ago. I was in my early 20?s. Jack was an outstanding umpire. Players appreciated his enthusiasm and ability to make good calls. Reading Jack?s obituary, he was a remarkable human being. God bless Jack and his family."
"I knew Jack "