Carl "Sarge" HERMAN

HERMAN Carl "Sarge" Carl "Sarge" Herman, age 91, of Grand Haven, a WWII Veteran, Master Carpenter, Artist, loving father, grand father and friend to many, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 5, 2010. He was born on February 25, 1919, to James and Rosie (Gawlak) Herman in Jackson, Michigan, where he was raised and graduated high school. He joined the U.S. Army in 1941. Carl, better known as 'Sarge' to his friends, was a Master Army Sergeant in the 6th Division, 1st Infantry. He served in New Guinea, Dutch New Guinea and the Philippines. He was decorated with the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. While recuperating from injuries in the Army hospital in Luzon, he met his beautiful wife Dorothy, an Army Nurse. She liked what she saw, so when they got home after the war, he looked her up, they got married and had six daughters together. After the war, Sarge, together with his two brothers Paul and Ralph, carried on their father's building business in Jackson, then moved to Toledo, OH in 1946 where they formed Herman Brothers, Inc., General Contractors. They built many schools, churches and heavy industrial buildings. After retiring in 1978, he and Dorothy moved to Grand Haven, MI where they were members of St. Patrick/St. Anthony's Catholic Community and the American Legion Charles Conklin Post 28. He enjoyed fishing and hunting out west and loved doing stained glass art work. Remembering and honoring Sarge are his loving family and friends, including: daughters: Patricia Grant of Grand Haven, Bonnie (Michael) Herman Zachary of Spring Lake, Mary Jo Herman of Monroe, MI, Sandra Herman of Mesa, AZ, Barbara (Rich) Herman Cook of Spring Lake, and Kathleen Herman of Grandville; sisters: Alabertha (Paul) Herman and RoseMarie Schneider of Jackson, MI. Also missing him already are his ten grandchildren: Jennifer Grant, Ayla Zachary, Eric Moll, Hanna Zachary, Andrew Moll, Maggie Cook, Collin Brummel, Maris Brummel, Annie Cook, and Cory Cook as well as one great-grandchild, Alex Deters. He also leaves behind his very special friend, Betty Lugten of Grand Rapids and many nieces and nephews. Carl was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Dorothy in 1990; sisters: Elsie Klee and Lucille Root; and brother, Ralph Herman. The funeral mass for Carl will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church with Rev. William Langlois officiating. Full military rites by the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post 28. Interment will be at Grand Haven Township Lakeshore Cemetery. Family will greet friends and relatives from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9th at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. Please visit www.klaassenfuneralhome.com to sign Sarge's guestbook or share a memory with his family. Arrangements by Klaassen Family Funeral Home in Grand Haven, MI.