Ervin “Sunny” Herman, age 90, of Ellis, Kansas passed away on Friday, February 14th 2025 at Marion, Kansas. Sunny was born July 6, 1934, on the family farmstead in Trego County, Kansas to Nick and Anna (Lang) Herman. Sunny did not move far from home and lived in Ellis County for most of his life. He married Rae Mona Groff but later divorced.
Sunny never met a stranger. He loved to polka dance and play games, especially pinochle. In his younger days he was an expert roller skater. He loved to travel, especially when it involved visiting family. He loved fixing things, from toasters to tractors, and designing things that increased efficiency and saved time. Many a competitive baseball game was held at “The Farm” with extended family. He also enjoyed giving rides in his tractor or combine to anyone who never experienced life on a farm.
Sunny was a member of the Ellis Knights of Columbus 4th Degree. In his working career, he was always a lifelong farmer first and an oilfield man second. He began his oilfield life in his early 20’s and retired in his late 70’s from farming. He always had a project going in his machine shed, which most were completed but some will never be. One of his joys was spending time with family and friends and particularly when family would come out to the farm to visit and shoot firearms.
Surviving him are his brother Leroy Herman and wife Kay of Denver and children Rose Davidson and husband Greg, Mark Herman and wife Cheryl, and Michelle Herman and husband Michael. Additionally, he leaves behind grandchildren Valerie Reich and great grandchild Alexis; Melanie Parmenter and husband Mike and great grandchildren Lacey, Marcus, Roxy; Sarah Davidson; Rachel Meehan and husband Stephen and great grandchildren Teddy, Molly, Maxwell; Amy Vaughan and husband Jordan and great grandchildren Skylar, Jason, Ronan; Jenny Williamson and husband Zach; Benjamin Herman; and Olivia Herman.
He was preceded in death by his sons David and Timothy; parents Nick and Anna Herman; brothers Theodore, Clarence, Louis, and Lawrence; sisters Sr. Annice, Lauraine, Lydia, Stella, Bernice, and Rita Mae; and great grandchild Caspian Vaughan.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 703 Monroe Ellis, Kansas 67637. Interment will follow the mass in the church cemetery. Viewing and visitation will be Friday, February 21, 2025, from 9:00 AM until service time and on Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a parish vigil and rosary service at 7:00 PM all at St. Mary's Catholic Church - Ellis.
Memorials are suggested to: St Mary's Catholic Church - Ellis and/or Ellis Knights of Columbus in care of the funeral chapel.
The family invites all to share memories and words of comfort on Sunny's Tribute Page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com