Herman L. Cranman

Herman Lewis Cranman, 93, of Savannah, Georgia and husband of Helen Schmalheiser (Small) Cranman, died Sunday evening, April 2, 2017, after a brief illness.

Born in Savannah, Georgia, he was the son of the late Philip Cranman and the late Jeane Litman Cranman. He joined the Army Air Corps during his senior year at Benedictine Military School. Herman graduated Bombardier school as a Second Lieutenant serving with the 15th Air Force in North Africa and Italy, earning the rank of Captain before he was discharged. During World War II he flew 34 missions over Nazi occupied Europe. His bomber group participated in some of the most dangerous missions over Ploesti, Romania and other enemy targets and they were often escorted by the Tuskegee Airmen. Herman was shot down over Hungary on July 14, 1944 and held as a Prisoner of War in Germany until he was liberated by General George S. Patton in Nuremberg on April 28, 1945. He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the POW Medal. As a legacy for his family and community, Herman also authored a book, "A Measure of Life", documenting these events and his family's history.

Herman and Helen were married on June 17, 1945. He was a member of Congregation Agudath Achim and Congregation Mickve Israel. Herman was active in several civic and community organizations. He was a past Commander of American Legion Post 135 and a former docent at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

Herman studied many years to earn his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) certification and was a leader in his profession. He was a former owner of Cranman Insurance Agency, Inc. Herman was former president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Savannah, the CPCU of Georgia and a former board member of the Georgia Independent Insurance Agents.

With all of his accomplishments, Herman will be remembered most as a kind and decent man who was a wonderful husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather. His patriotic love and support for his country were second to none.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Jason Cranman, and a brother, Alvin Cranman.

Surviving are his wife of 72 years, Helen Schmalheiser (Small) Cranman of Savannah, Georgia; one daughter, Lynn C. Reeves and her husband, David, of Savannah; two sons, Paul Cranman and his wife, Karen, of Savannah, and Roy Cranman of Atlanta; ten grandchildren, Erin Cranman Witkow and her husband, Brandon, Jordan Cranman, Kasey Reeves Berman and her husband, Daniel, Joshua Reeves and his wife, Amanda, Morgan Reeves McGhie and her husband, Scott, Jacob Cranman, Micah Cranman, Adria Cranman Moshe and her husband, Lior, Emily Oppenheim and Madeline Oppenheim, and thirteen great-grandchildren, Matthew, Ethan and Eliana Witkow, Laney and William Berman, Charles, Ray and Evan Reeves, Jackson, Harper, Ella and Claire McGhie, and Sid Cranman.

The funeral service, with full military honors, will be held at 1:00 Wednesday afternoon at the graveside, Bonaventure Cemetery, conducted by Motti Locker.

Remembrances: Matthew J. Cranman Holocaust Teacher Education Fund - c/o Savannah Jewish Federation - 5111 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia 31405-5214.

Please share your thoughts about Herman and his life at www.gamblefuneralservice.com.