Herman J. Marks

Herman Marks, 90, passed away and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday. November 2, 2012 at Camden-Clark Hospital after a courageous battle with heart disease. He was born in Gilmer County, W.Va., the son of the late Perry William and Ella May (Dobbins) Marks. Herman was a graduate of Normantown High School and had taken classes from Glenville State College. After high school he was in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945, serving in Africa and Italy under General Mark Clark. He also received the following medals; Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon. Herman was a postmaster in Rosedale, W.Va. from 1948 to 1960. From 1960 until his retirement in 1981 he was employed at the Parkersburg, W.Va. and Vienna, W.Va. post offices. While there he was Safety Officer and Civil Service Exam Administrator. After Herman's retirement, he worked for Sears, Bowhunters Supply, and MedChek. Herman was a volunteer with Camden-Clark Hospital for several years. He had previously been ordained as a Deacon at the age of 28 at Rosedale Baptist Church. Later, he was a very active member of Grace Baptist Church and played an integral role in the design and construction of the new worship facility at the church. He also served as a Trustee and Sunday school teacher. He served as a Deacon at Grace Baptist Church and also was the chairman of deacons and a part of the pulpit company. He was also a member of the Missions and State Executive Committees of the Southern Baptists of W.Va. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Marie Marks whom he married on December 29, 1945; three brothers, Porter (Morene), Paul (MaryLouise), and Ernest Lee Marks; and five sisters, Laura Moss (Clarence), Edna Sawyers (Dwight), Beatrice Skidmore (Lantie), Ermal Wilfong (Russell), and Cloteel Marks. Surviving is his daughter, Elizabeth Jean Simmons (Randy) of Parkersburg, W.Va.; his son, David H. Marks (Beverly) of New Bern, NC; four grandchildren, Nathan P. Simmons (Patricia) and Justin A. Simmons (Jymme) all of Parkersburg, W.Va., A. Rene Lewis (Cory) of New Bern, NC, and Melissa M. Marks of Parkersburg, W.Va.; six great-grandchildren, Haley R. Simmons and Scarlett A. Simmons, Shayla C. Marks and Kendell D. Marks, all of Parkersburg, W.Va., and Chelsea and Cory “C.J.” Lewis, Jr. of New Bern, NC; his sister, Marie White of Elyria, OH,; sister-in-law, Faye Marks of Littleton, CO; several nieces and nephews; and a special daughter, Angelita Garcia. His sole meaning in life along with his church and his Lord and Savior was his family. Herman and his family enjoyed many wonderful vacations in Washington, D.C., Myrtle Beach, SC, Canaan Valley, W.Va., and Denver, CO. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at the Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, 3005 Grand Central Ave., Vienna, W.Va. with Rev. Todd Hill officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery with full military rites conducted by American Legion Post 15 of Parkersburg. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the funeral home.