SELINSGROVE — Harry M. Herman Jr., 87, of Lost Creek Drive, passed away early Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, after a long illness. He was a golfer, deer hunter, fisherman, trapper, bowler, fly tyer, wine maker, rose grower and chess player. He also was a member of the Mall Walker Club and logged over 1,000 miles. He was a loving husband and father. He was a first class grandfather and recently became a great-grandfather.

He was born July 8, 1925, in Sunbury, a son of the late Harry M. Herman Sr. and Catherine (Rearick) Herman. On Jan. 1, 1984, he married the former Nancy Hetrick Renn.

Harry graduated from Sunbury High School, Bloomsburg University and earned his masters degree from Bucknell University. He did continuing graduate work at Penn State University.

He began his career teaching at the Maryland School for the Blind, West Virginia School for the Deaf and was fluent in American Sign Language. He was a speech and hearing therapist for Snyder County schools. Later he was the state director of Speech Pathology and Audiology in the Office of Mental Health and Mental Retardation in Harrisburg. He became assistant superintendent at Laurelton State School and later, superintendent at Ebensburg State School. At the time of his retirement, he was a consultant to 14 county administrative units and liaison to four state institutions working out of the Central Region Office of the Department of Public Welfare in Harrisburg.

During World War II, he served in the south Pacific from 1943 through 1946 as a Navy Pharmacist’s Mate. Third Class, aboard several vessels, the last being the USS Hansford. This amphibious unit was attached to the Fifth Marine Division during the battle of Iwo Jima. He was still pinned down on the beach when both American flags were raised on Mount Surabachi. He also participated in the Okinawa and Philippine Campaigns, as well as with the occupation forces in Japan. His ship was the flagship standing by the Michigan when the Peace Treaty was signed while in the Bay of Japan. For his efforts, he received a Letter of Commendation and two Battle Stars in addition to several other service ribbons and medals.

He was formerly president of the Herman School Association, Trustee of the Snyder County Historical Society, Shamokin Dam Councilman, and member of Shade Mountain Golf Club. He was also a member of the SCL Bowling League. He remained a member of the Selinsgrove VFW, American Legion Post 25, and Trout Unlimited. He recently donated all of his fly tying equipment, tools, hooks, and feathers to be used in fly tying classes each year for new members.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; two sons and one daughter-in-law, H. Martin III and Christen Herman, and Joel B. Herman; two stepchildren, Richard K. Renn, and Ann L. Woodhead and husband, Ronald; two grandchildren, Paul and Kaija Herman; four step-grandchildren, Julia and Michelle Renn, Megan Woodhead Spilde and husband, Marc, Erin Woodhead and husband, Evan Merz; one great-grandchild; one sister, Elda Bowen, of Selinsgrove; one brother, George Herman, of Florida; five beloved nieces and their husbands, Ellen Diehl, Edie and Greg Moyer, Carol and Craig Cronin, Kathy and Steven Stowers and Lynn and Judson McLaury; and several great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Bill Swoyer; and one nephew, Myron Diehl.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the V.L. Seebold Funeral Home, 601 N. High St., Selinsgrove. A visitation will be held at 1:30 prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Selinsgrove Library for Large Print Books.