Herman Eugene Ahlfield of Pana

Herman Eugene Ahlfield, currently of Pana, Illinois, the 14th and youngest child of Edwin and Harriet (Knakmuhs) Ahlfield of West Salem, passed away in Pana on September 11, 2024.

Herman worked from the age of six years at a wide variety of jobs and professions at which he always excelled-positions from shoeshine boy to roughnecking out West during the oil boom to being a coach, teacher, principal, superintendent, to the Dean of Instruction at Wabash Valley College. Herman always excelled as an entrepreneur and in everything he attempted.

In his 89 years of life, he touched and influenced thousands of people’s lives in a positive way. He will be immensely missed. Herman was a 50-plus year member of Masonic Lodge #866 of West Salem and a member of the Methodist Church in Pana. His awards and accolades are too numerous to list.

Herman is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his children, Scott (Lyn) Crowell of Livingston, Texas, Beverly Ramsey of Bradenton, Florida, Stanley Ahlfield of Olney, Joni (Don) Millman of Effingham, Kevin (Kim) Ahlfield of Olney, Alice (Mary) Ahlfield of Pellston, Michigan, Joey (Tony) Long of Clinton, and Brian (Kisha) Maurer of McKinney, Texas; grandchildren, Joshua (Staci) Millman, Ellen Millman, Donnie Millman, Jessica (Brandon) Bare, Courtney (Nathan) Hopf, Ashley (Caleb) Wallace, Megan Woolridge, Mason Woolridge, Taylor Ahlfield, Charity (Jared) Hermayer, Hayden Mauer, and Elle Maurer; one brother, James Ahlfield of Jasper, Indiana; one sister-in-law, Emma Lou Ahlfield of Hammond, Indiana; one brother-in-law, Burl Edwards of Cowden and several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Herman was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Henry Ahlfield, Charles Ahlfield, Jerome Ahlfield, Minnie Ahlfield, George Ahlfield, Dora Hale, Carl Ahlfield, Pete Ahlfield, Lara Spray, Lura Briggs, Enoch Ahlfield, and Imogene Scott.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Ash Grove Christian Church in rural Windsor with Pastor Don Millman officiating. Burial will take place in Cochran’s Grove Cemetery, also known as Ash Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 16, 2024, at Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Shelbyville with Masonic rites performed at 7:00 p.m. by the Jackson Masonic Lodge #53 of Shelbyville. Memorials in Herman’s honor may be made to Mary Ahlfield for the Herman Ahlfield Memorial Scholarship Fund and mailed to 302 W. Main St., Shelbyville, IL 62565. Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Shelbyville is assisting the family.

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