Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
As received from theMemorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:
John C. “Blackie” Herres, 85, a resident of Hancock passed away Sunday morning May 2, 2021, at the Winona House of Portage Pointe in Hancock following a lengthy battle with Dementia.
He was born on June 7, 1935, in Laurium the only son of the late John B. and Margaret (Lehman) Herres. John was raised in Laurium and Hancock. He was a graduate of the Hancock High School with the class of 1954.
Following school Blackie worked for Coast to Coast and the Daily Mining Gazette. He then began his favorite job where no one would talk back to him for the City of Hancock as the Sexton of the Lakeside Cemetery retiring in 1999.
On September 20, 1958, he was united in marriage to the former Barbara Smith at St. Peters Cathedral in Marquette, MI.
John was a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Hancock, a proud former member of the Hancock Fire Department and a former member of BPOE #381 of Hancock. Blackie enjoyed running and exercising and was an avid sports fan following the Detroit Lions, Tigers and Red Wings. He also enjoyed spending time socializing with his family and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his sister and brother-in-law: Mary Margaret and Ron Hatcher, his Mother & father-in-law: Myron & Mary Smith, his brother-in-law: Bob Smith and a special uncle Gerald Lehman who passed away at Pearl Harbor while serving in the United States Navy.
Surviving are:
His wife Barbara Herres,
His children: Julie (Brian) Rimpela and children Lauren (Chris Clark) Britz and their daughter Sophie, Katie Britz and her son Dalton
Michael (Kelly) Herres and their children Jacob Herres and Sondra (Erwin) Marciniak and their children Asher, Adi, Theo
Jeri (Dean) Masters and their children Jessica Masters, Kelsy (Ethan Debelak) Masters and their daughter Josie
Cathy Sager and her children Andrew (Jordan) Sager, Michael Sager, Jenni (Justin) Runfroe and their son Jonah
His sister: Barbara Herres and her sons Dan Ball and Jerry (Holly) Ball
Several nieces nephews and cousins
A private graveside service and blessing will take place at a later time at the Lakeside Cemetery of Hancock.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Hancock Volunteer Fire Department in memory of John C. “Blackie” Herres.
To view Blackie’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock are assisting the family with the arrangements.
