Warren Hermanson

Warren K. “Hermie” Hermanson, 88, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2020. He was a resident of Cedar Ridge Health and Rehab Center in Lebanon, IL.

Hermie was first generation American, the son of Swedish immigrants. He was raised on the family farm in Sioux City, Iowa, where he graduated from high school. He excelled at sports in school, where his high school football coach first dubbed him Hermie. He was a lifelong football fan. He later attended Wayne State Teacher’s College in Nebraska until called to military service. A member of the Iowa National Guard, he was activated into the regular Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Like his father before him, Hermie claimed his status as a veteran. During a leave from Chanute AFB in 1952, his fellow airman, Jimmy Munro, brought him home and introduced him to his sister, Delores “Dee” Munro. The meeting was kismet and the two were married in 1953. He and Dee settled in Lebanon, IL and raised five children.

Hermie was a talented machinist and when he could find the tools he was always misplacing, he could fix most anything. He was a hard worker both for other companies and for his own business over his career. He was a crusty man with a big heart, who would help a hardworking mom keep her car on the road when she had no money for repairs. He owned and operated Airport Garage and Salvage for several years in Lebanon, IL.

Hermie married into a Masonic family and became a lifelong Mason, serving as Worshipful Master for Lebanon Lodge 110 Free and Accepted Masons. Hermie also served as Associate Bethel Guardian for the International Order of Job’s Daughters Bethel #92 in Lebanon. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Ainad Shrine, Order of Eastern Star and the Enterprise and St. Clair County Granges. He was a Christian who held church leadership and volunteer roles at St. Paul UCC and First United Methodist Churches in Lebanon. His community was important to him and he was a valued member of it. He volunteered at the Lebanon Nutritional Site. His family has often been thanked by community members for his practice of sitting with their ill and elderly loved ones to provide some relief.

Hermie was a dear husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, uncle, brother-in-law and friend. Hermie loved cards and games. His eyesight failing in his last years, he took the good-natured ribbing of his family for playing the wrong card, using the excuse, “I just can’t see!” Hermie was a good sport. He liked to tease and be teased and always had a new and often bad joke to share. When saying good bye to loved ones, he would say, “See you in the funny papers.”

Hermie was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Esther, nee Lindberg, Hermanson, and two sisters, Charlotte Hermanson and Joan (John) Laros.

He is survived by his bride of 66 years, Delores, nee Munro; children Steven (special friend Karen Morton) Hermanson of Lebanon, IL, Jennie Hermanson of Indianapolis, IN, Dennis (Tracy) Hermanson of New Baden, IL, Nancy Hermanson of Appleton, WI, and Donald (Mary) Hermanson of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren Morgan Hermanson (Justin Mattea) of Troy, IL, Sunny (Gabriel) Weitkemper of Hazelwood, MO, Alexander (Kalee) Hermanson of Mt. Pleasant, TN, Gregory (Emily) Hermanson of Kernersville, NC, Rose Hermanson (St. Louis, MO); greatgrandchildren Franklin, David and Scarlett.

Memorials may be made to The Order of the Eastern Star Charities, The American Diabetes Association or The American Heart Association.

Visitation: Monday, January 13, 2020 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL and Tuesday, January 14, 2020 from 9:00 to 11:00 am, Lebanon First United Methodist Church, Lebanon, IL.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 11:00 am, Lebanon First United Methodist Church, Lebanon, IL

Clergy: Rev. Kim Hagedorn, Pastor

Interment: At a later date

Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL