Paul Daniel Herman, 88, of Gaylord, Michigan passed away peacefully, surrounded by his four beloved sons, on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

Paul was born in Olney, Ill., on September 15, 1935, to Otto and Elizabeth (Muhs) Herman, the fifth of ten children. Raised on a farm in southern Illinois, Paul worked hard alongside his father Otto, Uncle John, and his siblings. He graduated in 1953, from Olney’s East Richland High School.

On March 29, 1957, he married Patricia Avanell “Av” “Pat” (Everette) in Olney, Ill. Paul worked in the oil fields of Illinois and Michigan. The oil field took Paul all over the state of Michigan and the family followed him to Richmond, Holland, Lake City, Kalkaska, Cadillac, and Grayling. When Paul retired as a drilling supervisor in 1991, he and Av settled in Gaylord. Paul did not sit still for long and was soon working as a maintenance man for a local apartment complex and then a delivery driver for Parts Plus until his second retirement at the age of 83.

Paul was never happier than when surrounded by his family telling stories about the old homeplace. An avid woodworker and crafter, he was never short of ideas for things to make and made several treasures for his wife and grandchildren. Over the years, Paul collected more than 500 baseball hats from companies he worked for, gifts from family and friends, and travel souvenirs. He proudly displayed them in his garage rafters for all to admire.

Paul is survived by his sons, Timothy (Carrie) Herman of North Loup, NE, Daniel (Andrea) Herman of Traverse City, MI, Patrick Herman (Deb Kresnak) of Traverse City, MI, and Randal (Mary) Herman of Grayling, MI; grandchildren, Christyn Herman, Megan (Dillon) Krumm, Nicole (John) Adams, Matt (Shannon) Herman, Damon (Aubyn) Herman, Aaron (Stacey) Isenhauer, Alan Munsey, and Noah Shambarger; great-grandchildren, Alexzander, Kylie, Wynn, Vivian, Addison, Gavin, Rosemary, Ryker, Kenzie, Josie, Eliana, Colton, Luke, and Rhilyn; siblings, Ruth Rzeppa of Algonac, MI, Dolores “Dinny” Francis of Bloomington, IN., Freda (Richard) Miller of Springfield, IL, and Francis (Janet) Herman of Xenia, IL.; brother-in-law, Donald “Don” Brian of Olney, IL.; sister-in-law, Shelia Herman of Olney, IL.; and many, many, treasured nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Elizabeth Herman; his wife, Avanell; siblings, Bernard (Anna May) Herman, Lucille (James) Bigard, Theresa (Glen) Chaplin, Edna Brian, and George Herman; brothers-in-law, Edward Rzeppa, Otis “Roger” Francis, Robert Everette, Gerald “Gene” Everette, and Harold “Eugene” Everette; sisters-in-law, Maxine Downing, and Agnes Everette; and grandson, Adam Herman.

The extended Herman family will receive guests for a visitation held Friday, Oct. 27, beginning at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Cathedral, 606 N. Ohio Ave. in Gaylord, MI. Guests are invited to join the family at B.J.’s Catering, Rental & Event Center at 990 N. Center Ave. for a luncheon to share memories of Paul, following the service.

Nelson Funeral Home, Gaylord, MI