Herman L. Winters passed away on Feb. 9, 2026 at the age of 96.
He was born on Aug. 14, 1929 on the upper peninsula of Moran, Mich. to Herman H. Winters and Mary Laurena Burton.
Herman grew up in the town of St. Ignace, Mich., where he was one of eight children. He shared many childhood memories with his friends and family about growing up on the upper peninsula of Michigan where winters were brutal, so brutal that often the Great Lakes would freeze completely solid. Herman had many childhood memories of driving across the frozen lakes and setting hundreds of hunting trap lines along the banks.
Towards the end of World War II, Herman joined the Army and served two years stationed in Germany. Once his time in the service was completed, Herman returned home to St. Ignace, Mich., where he became a driver whose only task was to drive a bus across the notoriously “scary” bridge called Mackinac Bridge. Many would not drive across this bridge due to the open grates that allowed drivers to see the water below. Herman was not scared though, he happily drove whatever and whoever across.
Later on in his working career, Herman moved from St. Ignace, Mich. to Tri-Cities, Wash. to work at the Hanford Nuclear Plant. Herman would work for Hanford for over 30 years and retire as the tank farm manager.
Herman married Netta Winters and they lived together in Boardman for over 35 years.
Herman lived a long, colorful life. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, one who always had a great story to tell, known to be quite the jokester, and someone who would never forget your name. He was very loved and will be greatly missed.
The family will be holding a private family service at a later date.
