Joanne Marie Herman, 78, of Bronson, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014 at the Community Health Center of Branch County.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary of Assumption Church in Bronson with Rev. Fr. Richard Fritz officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 20 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM, with the Rosary to begin at 6:30 PM, at Dutcher-Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson.

Joanne was born May 7, 1936 to Norris and Ella (Ely) Hollister in Sturgis. She graduated from Bronson High School in 1954, where she had been active in the D.A.R. Joanne married Conrad Herman on June 19, 1954 in Sturgis, and spent the next two years finishing Conrad’s Army service between Fort Gordon in GA and Fort Knox in KY.

Joanne has been an active member of St. Mary’s Church since 1956, where she served on the Rosary Society. Mrs. Herman also worked at St. Mary’s School for over twenty years as a secretary. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother with many interests. Joanne enjoyed crafts, crocheting, sewing, and reading. She liked to spend time bird watching and was a collector of owls and unique rocks.

Mrs. Herman is survived by her husband of 60 years Conrad; her children John (Kay Decker) Herman of Colon, Michael (Patricia) Herman of Burr Oak, Kathy (Kim) Moler, Bryan (Deb) Herman all of Bronson, MaryAnn (Kenny) Vallance of Coldwater, Lisa (Jesse) Cornwell of Athens, Debra (Jason) Wilson of Bronson; her sisters Janet Bricker of Howe, IN and Jean Milliman of Sturgis; 20 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son David Herman; her brothers-in-law Clifford Bricker and Clyde Milliman.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.dutcherfh.com