Herman G. Potter, 74, of Pleasant Gap, died on Monday, June 2, 2008 at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home.
He was born on February 8, 1934, a son of the late John Kay and Hazel Inez (Gulich) Potter Sr.
On April 8, 1961, he was married to Elizabeth Mae Hess at the St. John Lutheran Church of Clearfield.
He is survived by three sons, John Kay Potter III and his wife Nancy of Boalsburg, David Andrew Potter and his companion Wanda M. Reickart, and William Daniel Potter and his companion Sandra Harris all from Pleasant Gap; two Grandchildren, Nathan Thomas Potter and Peter Anthony Mali III; a brother Gordon Maxwell Potter and his wife Patricia of Springfield, Oregon, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by four sisters, Mrs. Juanita Cole, Mrs. Emeigh Fox, Mrs. Doris Smail, and Mrs. Hazel Spor.
At the time of his death, he was a resident of the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home in Hollidaysburg.
Herman graduated from the Clearfield High School in 1952, and worked for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company.
He was drafted into the Army on October 16, 1956 and served in Korea on the DMZ until October 15, 1958. He joined the Army Reserves and served at the P.F.C. Melvin L. Brown U.S.A.R.C., 487th Engineers Platoon f.f.T.G. in Clearfield. He later served in the 318th L.E.M Company in State College. He was attached to the 491st Reserves at the Sgt. Paul Bech Armed Forces Reserve Center in Bellefonte, as a Army recruiter, and retired from the 484th Service Co.; 79th Arcom Lewistown Reserve Unit at Lewistown on December 9th, 1980 with the rank of SFC. He gave his country twenty four years, 1 month, and 23 days. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter Badge Rifle M-16, Sharpshooter Badge Pistol Caliber .45, Expert Badge Rifle M-16, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Components Achievement Medal, and other Certificates for his Accomplishments during his military service.
He worked for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company; Polymetal Divison; Hewitt Industries and retired on disability from the Kistler-O'Brien Fire Protection at the age of 55, and survived leukemia.
He was a member of the following organizations: The American Legion Post 0006, Clearfield; The American Legion Club 779 (Social Member), Old Fort, Centre Hall; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1600 in Bellefonte; Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 812 in Clearfield; United commercial Travelers of America; a Life Member of the Clearfield Fire Company No. 1; Clearfield County Volunteer Firemen's Association; Life Member of the Central District Volunteer Firemen's Association; the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club; and the Penn State Wrestling Club.
He was a past Charter Member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in State College, and had served on numerous committees. He especially enjoyed working on the Building Committee.
He was a member of the retired B.S.A. Troop 301 and is a member of the Order of the Arrow.
He is a fan of the Penn State Wrestling and High School Wrestling.
A Visitation will be held at the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 1034 Benner Pike, State College on Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8.
Funeral Services will be held at Noon on Monday, June 9, 2008 at the funeral home with the Reverend Brent Book officiating. Internment will be at the Centre County Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, P.O. Box 316, State College, PA 16804 or to the Pleasant Gap Fire Company, 475 Robinson Lane, Pleasant Gap, PA 16823.
A Guestbook can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com