By HDN staff
HOWARD W. HERMES
CHINOOK Howard W. Hermes, 77, a life-long farmer of Blaine County, died of natural causes Friday, Oct. 1, 1999 at Sweet Memorial Nursing Home.
Vigil services were held Monday in St. Gabriels Catholic Church and funeral mass was held Tuesday in the church with burial following in Kuper Memorial Cemetery.
He was born to John and Margaret (Kuper) Hermes on Sept. 3, 1922 at the family farm south of Chinook where he also made his home for 51 years. He attended South Bench School and graduated from Chinook High School.
After suffering a heart attack, he established a farm equipment dealership and moved into town in 1978. He owned the implement dealership for 10 years and sold out in 1983.
For several years he was on the Farmers Union board of directors and served as the chairman of the board. He also was active on the FHA Committee, belonged to the Knights of Columbus and was a life-long member of the St. Gabriels Catholic Church.
He married Esther Shankle on June 9, 1943 in Chinook. After retiring, they spent winters in Texas, California and Arizona until illness forced him to stay in Montana.
He enjoyed camping and fishing with his family.
One sister preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Esther, Chinook; four daughters, Marilyn Hall, Lawrence, Kan., Margie Miller, Harlem, Linda Malley, Havre, and Sandi Finley, Chinook; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the Gift of Life Housing in Great Falls or St. Gabriels Catholic Church.
Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook.
