11/27/2014
Went to live in a More Beautiful Place on Thanksgiving Morning, Nov. 27, 2014 from her farm in Holtwood after eighty-three well lived years. She had been under a physician's care for the last five years. She was the youngest daughter of the late Lloyd and Minnie Miller of Archbold, Ohio. She had one brother, Laurence Miller, Archbold, Ohio and sister, the late Louetta Miller, Archbold, Ohio.
She is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years, John Bucher Herr, Holtwood; and five children; Anthony M. Herr, Holtwood; Dr. Ellen M. Israel wife of Andrew Israel, Skillman, New Jersey; Elizabeth R. Herr, Lancaster; Hans M. Herr, Holtwood; Dr. Hugh M. Herr, Somerville; Mass. Her seven grandchildren miss her dearly, also. Dara and Erica Israel, Miles, Michael and John Gallagher, Alexandra and Sage Herr.
She was a hard working talented person who could fix anything and could solve most any problem no matter how difficult whether it be a quilt, a dress, building a house, a garden or a language problem in Mongolia. She surrounded her family with her flowers all year. She delighted in restoring furniture to being beautiful again. She was an avid volunteer with Historic Downtown Walking Tours, Hans Herr House, Opera Lancaster and the American Red Cross. She was the Cofounder, President, Fund Raiser, Tutor coordinator and Tutor with the Lancaster-Lebanon Literacy Council. Her efforts in adult literacy have affected many people in a positive manner.
She was an ardent traveler before marriage and with her husband, John became a legendary world wanderer. Never on a cruise or tour, she and John always went on their own to Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America and the South Pacific. In 2014, she visited Turkey, Costa Rica, Laos and Thailand. During the 1970's, she and John took their children on camping trips for seven straight summers around North America including two trips to Alaska. She touched the lives of many, irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity or language.
Private interment will be at River Corner Mennonite Cemetery on Monday, Dec.1 with the Reverend Glenn Shenk officiating. Friends are invited to her memorial service celebration which will be at the Landis Homes WEST Bethany Chapel, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, Pa. at 2:00pm on Monday, December 1 with Chaplain Donna Mack Shenk officiating. The family will greet friends after the memorial service. Contributions in memory of Martha J. Herr are suggested to the Salvation Army, 131 S. Queen St., Lancaster, PA 17603.