John M Herman

John was born in Lebanon on May 15, 1945. He was the loving husband of Linda K. Herman. He graduated from Lebanon High School, had a bachelors degree from Penn State, a motorcycle mechanics degree, and a masters degree in cytotechnology from Thomas Jefferson University.

John had broad interests and studied many subjects in his life, and he had both the street and the theatre in him. He loved motorcycles, hot cars, and raising dogs; he was especially fond of pit bulls, German Shepherds, and Kerry Blue Terriers, and he took excellent care of the family dog, Kirby. He loved adventure, and in pursuit of it once circled the United States on a road trip, visiting both big cities and rural backroads alike. He knew how to box, fly a plane, sail a boat, dance like Elvis, and play the guitar, the harmonica, and the clarinet, and he could hunt well enough to catch turkey with a traditional bow and arrow. In addition to running his own motorcycle shop, John took on many other jobs at various times, including farmwork, construction, insurance sales, autopsies, and cytotechnology, and he was for a time enlisted in the army. A cultured fellow, he appreciated theatre and poetry and would quote Robert Frost and Walt Whitman. His favorite book was Moby Dick, and his favorite movie Streets of Fire. In his later years he enjoyed gardening and fishing to relax, and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. John was also a magnanimous storyteller who could keep people engaged for hours on end telling exciting tales from his life or explaining the details of his technical knowledge. Throughout his life, he had a reputation for being cool, and at the motorcycle shop, he picked up the nickname Johnny Speed. He was dearly loved by his family and friends, and he will be dearly missed.

Surviving him are his wife Linda, sons Brandon Herman, John P. Herman, and Jesse Heisey, daughters Stacey Webster and Angela Harmon, and step-daughter Sherrie Mauser (husband Rick), along with 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.