Ross Herr, Jr., 100, of Palmyra passed away peacefully on Friday, June 24, 2022, at his residence. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Margaret (Knight) Herr, 2015.
Born in Bellegrove, PA on March 27, 1922, Ross was the son of the late Ross Herr and Mayme (Boyer) Herr.
To have known our dad was to know love…pure, unconditional, and forgiving, for he loved and cared for all he met. His great desire in life was to share that Jesus died for you and me. His dedication to God and to raising us in God’s word was consistent and foremost in our lives. He was a man who lived the fullest of lives. He and mom had 10 children, 39 grandchildren, 91 great grandchildren, and 22 great great grandchildren to show for it – not to mention 100 beautiful years of a life well lived. Beloved by too many to count, he was the one we turned to for advice, prayer, and an example of faithfulness. He was always ready with a wise or loving, and sometimes, challenging word; he kept us all in line and loved deeply and steadfastly. Dad always put us first, working 2-3 jobs, many times late into the night to be sure that we had a comfy home and always enough to eat, which was quite a feat for a family of 12. He had an adventurous spirit and a mischievous smile; it kept him young and made for the very best stories. Stories of his growing up on the farm, meeting mom and their young lives together, their hardships, and their joy in raising our ever-so-large family, including funny stories that we can laugh at, remember and share.
He had depths of wisdom and strength which made him seem as large as a mountain at times, and an awe of the world and nature that made him seem childlike and inspired those around him with curiosity and wonder. Dad instilled in us many things, one to recognize and pay tribute to is of our family unity, our strength, and our love one for another. His daily walk with God left a well-worn path that we can follow, his footsteps well placed on that path God laid out before him. Dad was always there to guide us along as an example that we as children could see and emulate.
His words and deeds were like that of a fine gold thread running throughout our lives. We will cherish them and keep them close to us. In time we will take those words, like that of the fine gold thread and we will weave them into a warm, rich blanket full of love and memories, to hold within our hearts for always.
Surviving is ten children, Robert E. Herr, husband of Sally of Annville, Shirley H. Jacobs, wife of John H. of Palmyra, Barry R. Herr, husband of Sandy of Palmyra, Jean H. Kelley, wife of the late Kenneth of South Annville, Linda K. Hetrick, wife of Kenneth P. of Grantville, David E. Herr of Lebanon, James M. Herr of Annville, Joyce L. Reitz, wife of Roy of Palmyra, Margaret F. Kettering, wife of Thomas of Palmyra, Judy L. Umberger, wife of Eric of Palmyra; a sister, Betty Rhoad of Hershey, thirty-nine grandchildren, ninety-one great grandchildren, and twenty-two great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Ross is preceded in death by seven siblings, Russell Herr, Lloyd Herr, Sterling Herr, Lester Herr, Ruth Mumma, Mary Yorty, and Glenn Herr.
A public viewing will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, July 1, 2022, at Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home and Crematory, 5 Campmeeting Road, Jonestown, PA 17038. An additional public viewing will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Lebanon Valley Bible Church, 1482 Horseshoe Pike, Lebanon, PA 17042. Funeral Services will begin at 10:00 AM at the Church. Interment will be held at Gravel Hill Cemetery, Palmyra.
Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, Annville is handling arrangements.
