Herman Louis Dearman, age 94, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, passed away Sunday February 3, 2019 at Serenity Hospice Home in Oregon, IL. Herman was born on April 6, 1924, in Meridian, MS, the son of Walter J. and Ruth Emmons (White) Dearman.

Herman proudly served in the US Navy from 1942–1962 during WWII and the Korean War. He enjoyed telling friends about his time spent serving as a chief hospital corpsman aboard different ships in the Pacific—including the USS George A. Johnson DE 583 and the USS Paricutin AE 18. After retiring from the Navy, he and his family lived in CA until they moved to MS in 1970. There he managed a Kerr-McGee chemical plant until he retired.

A staunch Republican, Herman was always willing to talk politics with his friends at Lydia’s Cafe and Johnny Pancakes in Rockford, IL. He was known and loved for his generosity, sharp wit, and no-nonsense personality.

Herman married Maxine Marie (Beisner) on May 9, 1953 in San Francisco, CA. Maxine predeceased him on February 17, 2008. He is also predeceased by four brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathy (Terry) Powell of Rockford, IL; stepson, Jerry (Phyllis) Goldsmith of Monroe, GA; granddaughter, Elizabeth (Ben) Seagren of Sycamore, IL; and grandson, Aaron (Emily) Powell of Wahiawa, HI.

Per Herman’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and there will be no services. Burial will take place at a later date in North Platte, NE.

A special thank you to the staff at Serenity Hospice and Home for making Herman comfortable in his last days.

Finch Funeral & Crematory, Mount Morris, IL