L. Frank Herman

L. Frank Herman, 86, of Springfield, died at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2017 at Concordia Village. He was born October 12, 1930 to Louis E. and Emilie R. Herman. He lived with his parents and maternal grandmother in Mason City, graduating high school there in 1948. Frank was a 1952 honor graduate of Bradley University in Peoria. He married his college sweetheart, Sarel Lander, on October 12, 1952 in Peoria. He joined his father in the L. Frank Clothing store in Mason City. A veteran of many orchestras and bands, he ascended to First Chair clarinet with the Pekin Municipal Band, a position he held until retiring in 1990. His great hobby was collecting, running, and building model electric trains and railroads. He also toured extensively to ride and photograph real railroads. He and his wife expanded the family business into the L. Frank Mobile Shopping Service, which supplied residents of nursing and retirement homes with clothing and shoes. He closed L. Frank Clothing in 1995, after operating 120 years under the same family ownership. He and Sarel retired to Springfield, where she died in 2001. He is survived by daughters Leslie E. and Valli A. Herman and grandson Eli A. Cohen, all of Los Angeles. Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. The family will host a memorial gathering at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Temple Brith Sholom, 1004 S. 4th St., Springfield. A prayer service will follow at 12:00 p.m. A 1:30 p.m. graveside ceremony will follow at Union Cemetery in Lincoln. Memorial contributions may be made to: Temple Brith Sholom, 1004 S. 4th St., Springfield, IL 62703; Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Rd., Union, IL 60180; or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, P.O. Box 27105, New York, NY 10117-2504.