Francis Herman

Francis Joseph Herman

"Tex"

Age 89 of Wilmington and formerly Morris, passed away Sunday morning October 2, 2011 at Bradley Royale Health Care Center in Bradley.

Born April 23, 1922 in Coal City, Francis was the son of the late Alphonse J. and Mary Girot-Herman. He was raised in Coal City and was a graduate of Coal City High School. Francis was a Veteran of the United States Army Air Corp and on November 23, 1946, he married Joan Griggs in Morris. Francis was a munitions expert with UniRoyal at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant prior to gaining employment with Chemlite, from where he retired from at the age of 65. Francis truly enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening, remodeling and carpentry work. He can also be remembered for the birdhouses in which he made, as well as enjoying the Kankakee River at the Wilmington Island, and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include his five children: Cathy Herman of Wilmington, Pamela (Rick) Latham of Bourbonnais, Daniel Herman of Wilmington, Susan (Roger) Johnson of Wilmington and John (Stacy) Herman of Morris; seven grandchildren: Rhonda (Joe) Drake, Brad Latham, Amanda Johnson, Brooke Johnson, Leslie Herman, Justin Johnson and Mitchell Herman; two great grandsons: Noah and Nathanael Drake and two sisters: Rosella (the late Dick) Pancurak of Indiana and Cele (the late Bill) Moak of Coal City.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joan on November 19, 2010; two sisters: Rita (Al) Cerutti and Anna (Don) Johnson.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday October 5, 2011 from 5:00PM until time of funeral service 7:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Deacon Don Dyer from Saint Rose Catholic Church will officiate. A private family interment will follow Thursday in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Morris.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Francis' memory to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)