The Rev. Dean Eldon Herman

Dec. 25, 1922 - April 24, 2008

CURTIS -- The Rev. Dean Eldon Herman, 85, died Thursday (April 24, 2008.

He was born on Dec. 25, 1922, in Tiffin, Iowa to Melvin and Ernestine (Guth) Herman. He served in the Philippines during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart after suffering wounds during the fighting.

He was united in marriage to Thelma Miller in Marengo, Iowa on May 24, 1947. He finished undergraduate work at Olivet Nazarene College in Kankakee, Ill., then did graduate work at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa. He graduated from the Nazarene Theological Seminary in May of 1956, and accepted his first pastorate in McCook later that year.

In addition to his pastoral duties, he also was a small business owner. His sons, nephews and members of the town were employed in his enterprise.

In 1959, he moved to Curtis to accept a Home Mission church and pastored there for 28 years. He retired in June 1988, and resided in Curtis. He moved to Sunset Haven in 2002, and to Lenexa, Kan., in August of 2007.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three infant siblings and brothers Earl, Elmer and Gerald.

Survivors include his wife Thelma Herman of Lenexa; eight children, Elizabeth and husband, Gary Leach, Stephen and wife, Diane, Marijo and friend, Joe, Timothy, Jonathan and wife, Karmin, Benjamin and wife, Janis, Jenifer and husband, David Cedillo, Andrea and husband, Dhruba Chakravarti; sisters Katherine, Lenore, Marcia and Ruth Mary, brothers, Norman and Keith; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A celebration of his life was today at United Methodist Church in Curtis with the Revs. Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Hall officiating. Burial will take place in the Curtis Cemetery.

Online condolences may be given to the family at www.blasestrauser.com

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to 
Nazarene Missions International, Attn: Rob North, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 
6413 1, payable to General Treasurer. 
 Blase-Strauser is in charge of arrangements.