Howard H. Hermance, 91, of Loves Park passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018, in River Bluff Nursing Home. Born April 8, 1926, in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Floyd and Bessie (Jones) Hermance. Graduated from Genoa Township High School, Class of 1944. Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army for two years assigned to the 11th Airborne, 187th Paraglider Division in combat in the Philippines. Married Arleen J. Krueger on May 17, 1947, in DeKalb. They shared 70 years together. Employed by Anderson Bros Manufacturing, retiring after 40 years, when the company sent him up and away in a hot air balloon. Member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Our dad was the one we laughed with, had fun with and learned from. He may have lost his memory, but not his humorous personality that kept us smiling, even in his final days. Survivors include his wife, Arleen; son, Steven (Betty) Hermance; daughter, Polly (Gary) Bach; 7 grandchildren, Gordon, Joseph and Joshua Hermance, Jason (Stacy) Bach, Jamie (Ben) Christiansen, Dawn Seipts and Susan Steeves; 14 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his parents; grandsons, Steven Bach and Tad Heinen; and grandson-in-law, Marty Seipts. Special thanks to the staff, nurses and CNAs at River Bluff Nursing Home, who were so caring and kept him so alert, having fun with him.
Service at 11 a.m. Monday, April 2, in Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1829 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, with visitation from 9 a.m. to service time. Pastor Eric Lemonholm will officiate. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in the name of Howard at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., Loves Park.