Herman Umlor

Some people are heroes for their actions, some are heroes for their words, and some simply for the example they set for others. Herman Umlor was a hero through and through. He was a proud veteran, a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a man of limitless strength and faith. Quit wasn't in his vocabulary, he often said. His motto, and his memory, lives on today in all who knew him.

Herman's story began on a cool spring day in 1923, in the German farming community of Wright Township, Michigan. Those were exciting times in this country, as the Roaring 20s began to roar, and the automobile and airplane became part of everyday life. Markus and Cora (Allan) Umlor had even more to celebrate that year. On April 28, 1923, they welcomed the birth of their ninth of ten children, a baby boy, a son they named Herman.

Herman joined older siblings Wilford, Bernard, Donald, Clayton, Harvey, Viola, Henry and Rita, younger brother Floyd and step-sister, Edna Gates, on the family farm, where their father grew fruit and crops, and raised cattle. Herman's mother cared for her large family.

The family were faithful members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, just a stone's throw down the road, where Herman was baptized and formed his powerful faith in the Lord. He also attended St. Joseph's Elementary School there through the eighth grade. Of course, like all his siblings, he had chores to do before and after school, and eventually left school to work on the farm.

When he was a young man, Herman began noticing a pretty young woman named Anna Zimmer, who attended his church each Sunday. He summoned the courage to ask her out, and the two began dating. Soon, however, the dark skies of World War II would reach our shores, and being the brave young man he was, Herman headed off to Detroit to enlist in the U.S. Army, on March 19, 1942, just a month before turning 19.

Herman was stationed in Alexandria, Virginia, for a time, and asked Anna to join him there. They were married at the chapel on the Army base on November 18, 1942, and the newlyweds lived on the base together for a few months until he was shipped out overseas.

Herman was sent to the south Pacific, to fight in New Guinea, the South Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, and South Korea. For his valor in battle, he attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. He also was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Philippines Liberation Ribbon, two Bronze Stars, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Ribbon.

Herman never had a leave home during his entire service, and when he was finally discharged on December 20, 1945, he bee-lined it back to his beloved Anna, to celebrate an early Christmas that year.

Reunited, the couple bought a farm in Coopersville, Michigan, and wasted little time starting their family. Their son Chuck was born in September of 1946, with daughter Janet following in April of 1950, and Nancy rounding out the happy family in 1954.

Herman provided for his family by working as a carpenter, doing mostly commercial work, and joined the Carpenter and Jointers American Local #100 Union, a membership he held for over 40 years. Herman was exceptionally handy, and could fix almost anything - or at least try to.

The family faithfully attended St. Anthony's Parish in Grand Rapids, where Chuck & Janet went to elementary school. Herman and Anna were very supportive of their children's school activities, and brought their kids up with the same strong Catholic faith they possessed. They faithfully attended Sunday Mass, and Holy Days together. They did many other things as a family, as well, including trips to Mackinac, and many, many visits to see their family throughout Michigan.

Eventually, Herman and Anna built a home in Leonard Heights, where they stayed for two years, before moving to Tallmadge Township, and began attending St. Mary's Church in nearby Wright Township.

Herman was an important part of the church, serving as Eucharistic minister and on the Building Committee. He oversaw and helped build the new St. Mary's Church in 1983. The parish priest could always count on Herm's help in whatever he needed, though. Herman was also a loyal member of St. Mary's Knights of Columbus Council #11581, the Marne Lions Club and the Marne American Legion Post #376.

Sadly, Herman's beloved Anna developed lung cancer in 1982. After extensive treatments failed, she died on January 15, 1983. Herman and his children were devastated, yet through his deep faith, his parish family and good Marne neighbors, he and his family persevered.

Herman retired and bought a trailer in Bonita Springs, Florida, where he spent his winters. He always loved warm weather, the hotter the better, and Florida suited him fine. He missed his beloved Anna there, although he wasn't destined to remain alone. Herman knew a wonderful woman named Frieda from his church, who was also a widow, with 11 children. The two talked often at church (Herman was an amazing conversationalist), and became close. He asked her out, they had dinner together, and got along wonderfully.

Herman would call her often when he was in Florida, and eventually decided it would be cheaper to feed her than pay the long distance bills! The two were married on November 25, 1989, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, in Grandville, Michigan. They spent a long winter in Florida following the wedding.

When they returned to Michigan in the springtime, they lived in Frieda's home and enjoyed an active lifestyle. They were active in the church, going to daily Mass usually followed by breakfast at The Depot restaurant in Marne. Herman also tended his beautiful garden, calling on his farming background to grow corn, peppers, tomatoes, and other foods, while Frieda lined the garden with her lovely flowers. Herman always had a perfectly-groomed yard that was the envy of the neighborhood.

That was Herman, though: if something was worth doing, it was worth doing right, and to completion. Quit wasn't in his vocabulary, remember, a fact he often reminded his kids and grandkids. "You're an Umlor," he'd say. "Quit isn't in your vocabulary."

Herman's limitless energy probably came from his bottomless coffee cup, which he filled with his strong, dark coffee at all hours of the day and night. He also had a tremendous sweet tooth, and loved all sorts of ice cream, cookies, candy bars, and cakes. Being the proud German he was, he also loved brats, sauerkraut, and pig hocks, too. When the kids were young, Herman would get up on Sunday morning and make breakfast for the clan, or maybe some chicken on the grill.

He was always doing something, though. He never was without a workshop, and made beautiful bird houses for his family and friends. He also walked every day, and took good care of himself.

Herman wasn't one to sit and watch TV, unless it was the evening news he never missed, and he preferred to sit and talk to Frieda at night.

He loved all his family dearly, and was the consummate family man. He doted on his grandkids, and he sadly suffered the death of his grandson, Michael Galer in 1986, which affected him deeply. Sadly, Herman dealt with his own health problems, and developed leukemia in 2001. After treatments, he battled it into remission twice. In October of 2006, he had extensive chemotherapy, weakening him, and developed infection in his colon and kidneys. His family kept a constant vigil by his side, until he sadly died at 4:49 a.m. on November 27, 2006, at St. Mary's Hospital.

Herman was a remarkable man, who led a remarkable life. He was a decorated veteran, a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Quit wasn't in his vocabulary, he often said, a hero's motto, and one of so many lasting lessons he taught us. His lessons, and his love, live on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife Frieda Umlor; his children, Chuck & Sandy Umlor, Jan and Bob Mais, Nancy Galer; 6 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Glen Schoenborn; 11 step-children and many step-grandchildren; extended family, nieces nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Anna, his grandson, Michael Galer, 9 brothers and sisters. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church - Marne, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet his family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m., and at St. Mary's Church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the Mass begins. Please consider contributions in his memory to St. Mary's Church, Marne American Legion or Marne Lions Club. To read more about Herman's life to leave your own memory of him and to sign his guest book please visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com