James B. Herman

CHARLESTON, IL – James Byron Herman, age 83 and a life-long Charleston resident, entered his Heavenly Home on Monday, February 10, 2020 while a patient at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 from Noon until 2:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  The funeral service, celebrating his life, will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Tom Farris officiating.  Casual attire is preferred.   Burial will be at Mound Cemetery in Charleston.  Memorial gifts in his honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and left at the visitation or service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.

Jim was born April 19, 1936 in Coles County, Illinois, a son of the late Carrol and Essie (Casstevens) Herman.  He was formerly married to Linda Harpster, the mother of his children.  He later married Stella (Levitt) Sawyer at Fox Ridge State Park on July 20, 2002 and they have lovingly shared nearly 18 years of marriage.  In addition to his devoted wife, Stella, Jim is survived by his children, Mark Herman and fiancé Diana Jackson of Mattoon, Tamera Hutton and husband Phil of Charleston and Teresa Mummel and husband Bill of Mattoon; five grandchildren, Brandon (Tere) Riley, Neeley (Matt) Campobasso, Kellen (Lynsey) Herman, Kiley Herman and Trevor Phillips; seven great-grandchildren, Haden and Elias Herman, Luca, Gemma and Bella Campobasso, Isla and Nolan Riley; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.  Jim is also survived by Stella’s family, which includes her children, Bill (Judy) McCullough of McLeansboro, Illinois, Bonnie (John) Mahaffey of Vandalia, Illinois, Ken (Tiffany) McCullough of Robinson, Illinois and Elizabeth (Tony Mette) Sparr of Effingham, Illinois; thirteen step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.  Jim was preceded by one sister, Marjorie Shoemaker, a brother, Gerald Herman as well as two infant brothers.

Jim was a 1954 graduate of Charleston High School and was in the U.S. Army Reserves.  Not long after graduation, Jim began working for the Mattoon Journal Gazette and Charleston Times-Courier newspapers as a compositor – a position that he enjoyed for the next 46 years.  Jim formerly attended First Church of God in Charleston and together, he and Stella attended Salisbury Church (now known as Home Church). 

Jim was a model airplane enthusiast and belonged to a model airplane club.  He enjoyed his daily walk after a long day at work, often going a full three miles.  He was a collector of watches and clocks and enjoyed the open road from the seat of a motorcycle.  Jim and Stella also took many memorable camping trips, and being an avid reader, most activities were accompanied by a favorite book or magazine.  Jim had a soft spot for animals and never – ever knew a stranger.  Family genealogy always held an interest for him as well.  Jim loved his family dearly and they will miss his ever present smile and kind and gentle personality.

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