Melvin L. HERNER

HAMPTON - Melvin Leon (Mel) Herner, 82, passed away on Dec. 25, 2010, at home after a long battle with Leukemia.
He was born in Plymouth, Pa., June 12, 1928. Mel attended and graduated from Girard College in Philadelphia, Pa. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. and received his basic training at San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center, San Antonio, Texas. After Basic training, he was transferred to Keesler Field, Miss., where he trained as an Aircraft and Engine Technician. He then transferred to Langley Field, Va. Mel served a tour of duty in Germany and England during the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and 1949. He returned to Langley Field where he received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force.
He met and married Greta Jane Boaz in 1949. He became employed by his father-in-law, H.A. Boaz, a local contractor and worked for him for 11 years. He then turned his career to insurance. He was employed by Service Fire Ins., Co. and trained as an auto damage appraiser. He then was employed by Allstate Ins. Co. as a Claim Representative. While employed with Allstate he was a member of the National Fleet Safety Council, a member of the Board of Special Arbitration and a member of Hampton Roads Claims Association.
Mel had been a long time member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hampton, where he served as Vestrymen and was also a Sunday school teacher.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be missed deeply by his family.
Mel was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Herner and his mother, Catherine Herner.
He is survived by his wife, Greta Jane Herner after 61 years of marriage. He has two sisters, Margie Siperko and Arvilla Keiper; and a brother, Raymond Herner, of Pennsylvania. He has a daughter, Margie Smith and her husband, Paul Smith of Smithfield; and a son, Dale Herner and his wife, Linda Herner of Newport News; four grandchildren, Michelle Smith of Powahatan, Va., Mike Smith and his wife, Kelli Smith, of Smithfield, Tracy Newsom and her husband, Ryan of Williamsburg, Roxann Herner of Newport News; and one great-granddaughter, Addison Grace Smith of Smithfield. He also has a sister-in-law, Beverly Jan Oden and her husband, Clint Oden of Sedona, Ariz., and many nieces and nephews.
Contributions can be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2101 Executive Dr., Box 21, Hampton, VA 23666.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home. Immediately following at 11 a.m., a graveside service will be conducted at the Parklawn Memorial Park. Following the service the family will receive guests at the home of Greta Herner and family in Hampton. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.