Herbert H. Scranton

CDR Herbert Hugh Scranton, was born April 12, 1926, in Hicksville, OH to the late Ward E. Scranton and Emma C. (Bruggeman) Scranton.

He died peacefully on Thursday evening, February 5th, 2026, at the Park View Care Center, Edgerton, OH. He was just one week and 2 months shy of his 100th birthday!

He married Norma J. Keller 10 May 1951, in Key West, FL. They had three children and celebrated 58 years together before she died 26 Mar 2009. He married Patricia A. (Clark) Mitchell 10 May 2010, she died 8 Dec 2015. Pat and Herb were high school sweethearts, reconnecting 66 years later after having lost their long-time spouses. It was a wonderful blessing that they were able to share almost five years together.

In the last months of his senior year at Hicksville High School, Herb enlisted in the US Navy Feb. 24,1944 and served on submarines as a deep-sea diver doing underwater welding until an honorable discharge. He returned home to Hicksville, but after a short time re-enlisted in the US Navy attending Officer Candidate School. As a Commissioned Naval Officer, he served a short 4-year stint as the Navy recruiter in Marion, OH. Most of his Naval Officer service was on submarines, submarine rescue vessels, or submarine tenders. Ships he served on during his 30 years of service were the USS Pompon, USS Corsair, USS Irex, USS Medregal, USS Mackeral, USS Kittiwake, and USS Tringa. He retired with the rank of Commander on May 31,1974, with 30 years of service in the US Navy.

After retirement Herb and Norma returned to Hicksville. In the summer of 1975, they moved into their newly built home in Farmer Twp. Defiance County where he had resided since.

Herb was very active for his age; he was still driving in early October 2025 when he fell at home, causing him to need help with daily living.

Herb was a “Ford” man, he especially liked Thunderbirds and Mustangs. His first Thunderbird was a 1963 which he kept until the early 2000’s. Heads turned when other motorists pulled up beside this 99-year-old in his sporty Mustang with racing stripes! He also enjoyed creating unique “vanity” license plates for his cars. Over the years as he reduced the number of cars he owned, he would offer to transfer those plates to nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. The plates remain as just one of the many fond memories of “Uncle Herb”. Actually he referred to himself as “The Real McCoy” This was because of there being 3 Herbert Hugh Scranton’s in the family - he was the 1st and the oldest, hence the “Title”!

During his retirement Herb worked at the DOTCO Company in Hicksville in the sales department; at Noah Yoder Ford in Hicksville, at Sheridan Ford, later Bryan Ford in Bryan, shuttling cars between dealers, and until just a few years ago, during harvest season, he drove wagons of grain to the elevator for Gary Vollmer.

Herb is survived by son, Herbert H. Scranton, of Hicksville; daughter, Debra D. Robbins-Morton, of Alexandria VA; five grandchildren, Richard A. (Libbey) Scranton, of Aydlett, NC; Sarah J. (Paul) Robbins, of Wellington, New Zealand; David J. (Katie) Robbins, of Alexandria, VA; Matthew T. Robbins, of Alexandria, VA; Andrew M. (Brittany) Robbins, of Independence, KY; son-in-law, Joseph A. (Mary) Robbins, of Virginia Beach, VA; 7 great grandchildren; nephews, Herbert H. (Mary) Scranton, of Ney, OH and Richard L. (Paula) Scranton, of Hicksville, OH; step children, John C. (Laurie) Mitchell, of Linden, MI, D. Scott (Karen) Mitchell, of Holmes Beach, FL, Dawn (Larry) Johnson, of Bel Air, MD; 9 step grandchildren; 7 step great grandchildren; special caregiver, Barb (Mark) Poucher, of Sherwood, OH; sisters-in-law, Berniece Zenz, of Liberty Center, OH, Patricia Grine, of Montpelier, OH, and Sue Keller, of Gerald, OH and many grand and great- grandnieces and nephews; cousins; extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; son, James J. Scranton; brother, Lauren L. Scranton; nephews, Stephen A. (Karen) Scranton and Larry E. (Cheryl) Scranton all of Hicksville.

Herbert was a 36-year member of the Bryan Moose Lodge 1064. He is a member of Defiance County Ohio First Family. His great grandparents Hiram Sylvester Scranton and Mary Brownlee Scranton settled in Defiance County in 1852.

Visitation will be from 10am-12pm. on Thursday, February 12, 2026, with services to follow at 12pm in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio. Private interment will be in Six Corners Cemetery, Hicksville, OH

Memorials in the name of CDR Herbert H. Scranton may be given to the Defiance County or Williams County Humane Society, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be sent to and the online register signed at www.krillfuneralservice.com.