James R. Hermeling

James Raymond Hermeling was born July 14, 1935, in Westphalia, Iowa, the son of Anthony and Margaret Hermeling. He passed away Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at his home in Manilla, Iowa, at the age of eighty-four.
James received his education at St. Boniface School in Westphalia, Iowa, and graduated with the class of 1953. He furthered his education at a barber college in Des Moines, Iowa. James enlisted in the United States Army January 19, 1955, and served his country until being honorably discharged as a Sp 3 (T) on January 9, 1958. During his military career, he served some time in Germany and was awarded a sharpshooter medal. On June 30, 1958, James was united in marriage to Mary Heller at St. Peter Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa.
James was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manilla since 1958. He was employed as a barber for thirty years, working in different locations and for Bilsten’s in Denison. He also worked as a card dealer on a river boat for seven years. James enjoyed playing cards and driving around town and neighboring towns. He spent many pleasurable hours watching and attending his children’s sporting events as well as watching sports on television with his favorite teams being the New York Yankees and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Fishing and bowling were favorite pastimes as he enjoyed fishing in Minnesota as well as in local places and bowled in many tournaments. Attending family reunions in Minnesota was also a fun time for him and they would take one route up to Minnesota and would take another route home.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Monica and her husband, Fritz and Bonita and her husband, Harley; and two brothers, John and William. Survivors include: his wife, Mary; one daughter, Kathy and her husband, Jeff; one son, Kevin and his wife, Kiely; six grandchildren; one sister, Betty and her husband, Gerald; other relatives and friends.