JACK HERRMANN

Jack was an excellent student and a standout football and basketball player for Magnolia High School where he graduated in 1951. He went on to combine his mechanical and art skills at Lincoln Welding School in Cleveland, OH. After graduating, he joined the US Army hoping to use his welding skills to salvage damaged equipment from WWII. But the Army had different plans. When noticing his height and build, they trained him as a Military Police Officer and he was sent to Europe to support post-war operations.

Eventually, Jack returned to New Martinsville to work in welding and maintenance at Ormet and Mobay plants. He was also a very skilled woodworker and he and Nancy utilized those skills creating a home business, manufacturing historical wooden games, puzzles and toys. In retirement, Jack created beautiful customized stained-glass pieces for family and friends.

Jack served his community in Middlebourne as a City Council member and as President of the Tyler County Board of Education. He also operated strawberry farms employing several local residents during the summers and keeping his family busy.

His decades of service and achievement did not go unnoticed. Jack was honored as Man of the Year from the St. Vincent de Paul Holy Name Society in New Martinsville where he spent many years perfecting the art of breading and frying fish at the annual Lenten fish fries and volunteering at bingo nights. Also, in recognition of his achievements as a high school athlete and his decades of community service, he was honored with the Magnolia Athletic Boosters Life Achievement Award.

After becoming empty nesters, Jack and Nancy embarked on trips overseas, traveled through 49 states, and spent time with their growing family. Jack became known as “Pappy” to his eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and enjoyed sharing his life stories and lessons with them. To his family and his friends, he will always be remembered as a loving, talented man who lived life with grace and compassion.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Audrey Herrmann; sisters, Jo Ann Wade, Kathleen Young, Patsy Wharton, Eleanor Kay Busch; and brother, Lawrence (Rose) Young.

Jack is survived by his wife, Nancy; sister, Vivian Young; four children, Becky McComas (Rodney) of Fraziers Bottom, WV, Jane Palmer (the late Joseph) of Wheeling, WV, Jennifer Baumeister (Joseph) of Strongsville, OH, and Steven Herrmann (Ivette) of Powell, WY; eight grandchildren Jordan (Megan) Palmer, Natalie (Jack) Chasnoff, Julia (Erik) Gompers, Leslie (Michael) Staley, Bradley (Mackenzie) Baumeister, Jack Baumeister, Nicholas Herrmann and Kristopher Herrmann; ten great-grandchildren Layken, Robert and Hayden Palmer, Joe and Paige Chasnoff, Charlotte, Hallie, and Mia Gompers, Greyson Baumeister and Sophie Staley; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jack Herrmann to: Valley Hospice, Liza’s Place, Attn: Melanie, 308 Mt St Joseph Rd., Wheeling, WV 26003.