Herman Charles Rettinger Jr.
May 11, 2018 at 4:09 p.m.
By -
He passed away May 8, 2018, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Wakarusa.
Herman married Evelyn Godeke on March 16, 1957, at Zoar United Church of Christ, Elberfeld. The two met through Indiana 4-H Congress activities.
Herman graduated from Bourbon High School and then from Purdue University in 1956 with a degree in agriculture. He was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity. Upon graduation, he joined his father and brother in the family farming operation. He continued to support Purdue University by serving on the Farm Policy Study Group and as a John Purdue Club Member. He was a lifetime fan of Purdue basketball and football. He served on the board of directors of the Indiana Grain Indemnity Board and served as an FFA state officer.
He supported his community by serving as chairman of the Marshall County Planning Commission, the county board of zoning appeals, the county solid waste advisory committee, the Bourbon Township Advisory Board, Marshall County Farm Bureau and Marshall County Pork Producers.
He was a member of First United Church of Christ, Bourbon.
He enjoyed his career as a farmer. He was a Beck’s Hybrids dealer for nearly 50 years. In 1995, he was named a Prairie Farmer Master Farmer with brother Donald. Through the years they hosted many field days and tours, highlighting new equipment and technology in agriculture. In 1979, the Indiana Farm Management Tour featured their farm on a stop. He was presented a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Orr for his service to the community and the state of Indiana.
He was devoted to his family and worked tirelessly on the farm to provide for them with the work ethic that if anything was worth doing, it was worth doing right. When his wife, Evelyn, was in the nursing home, he visited her every day that he could until the end of her life.
His strong sense of civic engagement and fairness was also reflected in his ability to listen to and value, with personal interest, people from all walks of life. His personal appreciation also extended to his pets and livestock, and he could often be heard humoring a cat or dog on the back porch with questions as he was going out to work or returning from it.
The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Miller’s Merry Manor, Wakarusa, and Great Lakes Hospice for their care.
Herman is survived by his children: Roger Rettinger, Rochester; Jon (Jeanette) Rettinger, Bourbon; Romel (John) Duncan, Noblesville; and Joel (Chandra) Rettinger, Bloomington. Grandchildren include Kelly (Tae Sup) Lee, Houston, Texas; Kyle Rettinger, Bourbon; Turner (Emily) Duncan, Indianapolis; and Mitchell Duncan, Indianapolis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, Evelyn; and his brother, Donald (Vonna) Rettinger.
There will be a private family service with burial at Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Bourbon. Pastor Susan Clark of Bourbon First United Church of Christ will be officiating.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
*****
Memorials to First United Church of Christ, 407 N. Main St., Bourbon, IN 46504; or Triton FFA Endowment Fund, Marshall County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 716, 2701 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN 46563.
Condolences may be sent to family at deatonclemensfh.com.
Latest News
E-Editions
He passed away May 8, 2018, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Wakarusa.
Herman married Evelyn Godeke on March 16, 1957, at Zoar United Church of Christ, Elberfeld. The two met through Indiana 4-H Congress activities.
Herman graduated from Bourbon High School and then from Purdue University in 1956 with a degree in agriculture. He was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity. Upon graduation, he joined his father and brother in the family farming operation. He continued to support Purdue University by serving on the Farm Policy Study Group and as a John Purdue Club Member. He was a lifetime fan of Purdue basketball and football. He served on the board of directors of the Indiana Grain Indemnity Board and served as an FFA state officer.
He supported his community by serving as chairman of the Marshall County Planning Commission, the county board of zoning appeals, the county solid waste advisory committee, the Bourbon Township Advisory Board, Marshall County Farm Bureau and Marshall County Pork Producers.
He was a member of First United Church of Christ, Bourbon.
He enjoyed his career as a farmer. He was a Beck’s Hybrids dealer for nearly 50 years. In 1995, he was named a Prairie Farmer Master Farmer with brother Donald. Through the years they hosted many field days and tours, highlighting new equipment and technology in agriculture. In 1979, the Indiana Farm Management Tour featured their farm on a stop. He was presented a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Orr for his service to the community and the state of Indiana.
He was devoted to his family and worked tirelessly on the farm to provide for them with the work ethic that if anything was worth doing, it was worth doing right. When his wife, Evelyn, was in the nursing home, he visited her every day that he could until the end of her life.
His strong sense of civic engagement and fairness was also reflected in his ability to listen to and value, with personal interest, people from all walks of life. His personal appreciation also extended to his pets and livestock, and he could often be heard humoring a cat or dog on the back porch with questions as he was going out to work or returning from it.
The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Miller’s Merry Manor, Wakarusa, and Great Lakes Hospice for their care.
Herman is survived by his children: Roger Rettinger, Rochester; Jon (Jeanette) Rettinger, Bourbon; Romel (John) Duncan, Noblesville; and Joel (Chandra) Rettinger, Bloomington. Grandchildren include Kelly (Tae Sup) Lee, Houston, Texas; Kyle Rettinger, Bourbon; Turner (Emily) Duncan, Indianapolis; and Mitchell Duncan, Indianapolis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, Evelyn; and his brother, Donald (Vonna) Rettinger.
There will be a private family service with burial at Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Bourbon. Pastor Susan Clark of Bourbon First United Church of Christ will be officiating.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
*****
Memorials to First United Church of Christ, 407 N. Main St., Bourbon, IN 46504; or Triton FFA Endowment Fund, Marshall County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 716, 2701 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN 46563.
Condolences may be sent to family at deatonclemensfh.com.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092