Eileen (Klosterman) Herman, 92, 304 North Wayne Street, Saint Marys, Ohio, died 1:20 A.M. Saturday, January 28, 2012, at her residence.

She was born February 12, 1919, in Montezuma, Ohio, to Frank and Adelaide (Borgert) Klosterman. On November 29, 1945 she married Eugene T. Herman of Celina, Ohio after his safe return from Europe and WWII. Eugene preceded Eileen in death in 2002.

     Eileen and Eugene had 12 children with 9 of the children surviving.  Their children living are:  Jeralyn (Jack) Howley, Dallas, Texas;  Jacquelyn (Steve) Guy, Englewood, Ohio;  Jane Miars, St. Marys, Ohio;  Robert (Mary) Herman, Englewood, Ohio;  Craig (Arlene) Herman, Traverse City, Michigan;  Jonathan Herman, St. Marys, Ohio;  Judith Gillespie, Sugarland, Texas;  Jill (Greg) Pfenning, Martin, Tennessee;  Julie (Lino) Bovenzi, Dayton, Ohio.  Deceased children are:  Jyneen Folck;  Thomas Herman;  Janet Herman.

She has 23 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren living, with one grandson, Ian Howley who preceded her in death. 

     She has one brother living, Lester (Lee) Klosterman, Greenville, Ohio.  She was preceded in death by her sister Rita Lucas who’s spouse George Lucas, Ogelsby, Illinois survives.  Eileen’s other three brothers are deceased:  Ivo Klosterman;  Elmer (Irene) Klosterman; and Gene (Illa) Klosterman.  She is survived by a brother-in-law:  Paul Herman of Celina, Ohio.  Two sisters-in-law:  Eileen Wooles, Kettering, Ohio and Joanne Straubinger, Tallahassee, Florida.

     Eileen graduated from Coldwater High School in Coldwater, Ohio in 1937.  She went to Dayton’s Good Samaritan Nursing School and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1940.

Eileen graduated from Coldwater High School in Coldwater, Ohio in 1937.  She went to Dayton’s Good Samaritan Nursing School and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1940.

     Eileen worked as an RN for approximately 1 year out of Montezuma taking care of relatives.  Then she worked for Gibbons Hospital in Celina, Ohio for 1 year.  She then took a job for 3 years for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company during WWII as a plant nurse.  Eileen worked part time as an RN for 19 years for the Valley Nursing home and then retired.

     Eileen was a very busy homemaker with the 12 children through the years.  She was an accomplished cook and seamstress making many of the girl’s clothes. For a time she enjoyed quilting and making rag rugs.  She would play her piano to relax when she could find the time until her arthritis worsened in her 80’s.

     Eileen was a gentle soul who always put everyone’s needs above her own.  In later years she became a nurse again in her home taking care of her husband who became ill after suffering a series of strokes.

     She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Mary’s, Ohio where all of her kids went to school before going on to high school at Memorial High.

     Eileen enjoyed her family and loved watching the grandchildren grow up.  She enjoyed fishing at Grand Lake St. Mary’s and Lake Erie or any lake where the fish were biting!  She especially liked gardening and working in the yard.

     In recent years Eileen was homebound and enjoyed watching EWTN to fulfill her need to be an active Catholic and good example to her family.

     Eileen was very saddened by the deteriorating condition of Grand Lake St. Mary’s and hoped that things would change for the better so that her kids and grandchildren could continue to enjoy the lake.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 10:30am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, St. Mary’s, Ohio, with Fr. Tony Cutcher, celebrant.  Burial rites will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio.

     Friends and Family may call from 2-4pm and 6-8pm Wednesday February 1, 2012 at Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 High Street, St. Marys, Ohio.  A vigil service will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday February 1, 2012 at the funeral home.

     Memorials may be directed to Holy Rosary Catholic School and Grand Lake Hospice.