Ferris Hering

Ferris Erwin Hering was a man whose vigor for life spanned a century, and his love of family continues for generations. He was passionate about teaching, and through his many interests, he remained a lifelong student. He was part of the sweep of history that saw monumental changes in American life. From horse and buggy transportation to automobiles, air travel to space exploration, typewriters to computers, radios to television, and telegraph communication to internet service, the United States championed progress and innovation. Ferris was born December 3, 1912 in Nunica, Michigan to Hunter and Mattie (Nehmer) Hering. He grew up on the family farm that his father ran near Coopersville, Michigan while also working for the Ottawa County road commission. Quite naturally, Ferris helped with chores and the selling of their crops at area farmers markets. Like most boys, he played baseball and learned to fish and hunt, two pastimes that followed him into adulthood. Such an idyllic childhood was made complete by the fun he and his buddies had at the creek, where they swam and skinny-dipped on hot summer days. It was disrupted by tragedy when Ferris was 20 years old. His 4-year old brother, Freddy, was killed in an automobile accident, the weight of which made Ferris all the more compassionate toward children. After graduating from Coopersville High School, Ferris had headed for Western Michigan University and then earned a teaching degree from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He followed in the steps of his mother, a teacher, and taught in one-room schools in Coopersville and Holton. He also began dating a teacher. It was the summer of 1941 that Ferris met Lois Seaver on a blind date, and the two hit-it-off right away. Six months later, they made a commitment of marriage,and tied the knot on December 13, 1941. All too soon, Ferris was drafted into the US Army and served as a supply sergeant in Europe from 1941-45 during the height of WWII. Faithfully, he sent his pay checks home to Lois, and after the war, the two of them settled in Muskegon, Michigan. Ferris once again took up his teaching career and, in addition, became superintendent at the Hackley Public School district until it merged with Muskegon Public Schools. For over 40 years, he invested in Muskegon schools, including the time he spent as the principal of Glenside School. Life was made complete by the births of Ferris four children: Sandra in 1946, Fred in 1948, Dawn in 1953 and Lynell in 1955. The Hering family eventually settled into a house on Lake Harbor Drive in Norton Shores, where Ferris kept a big garden in the back yard and regularly supplied neighbors with fresh vegetables. He also owned a Christmas tree farm near Whitehall, and every November the whole family made the excursion north to cut down trees, bring them back to their house in Norton Shores and sell them in the front yard. As a family, the Herings also embarked on annual summer vacations that took them around the country. Piling all the kids in the station wagon with a camper in tow, Ferris and Lois traveled to such places as Yellowstone National Park, Disneyland and Florida. Being the angler that he was, Ferris tried to teach his daughters the joy of fishing, and being an avid hunter, he often took his son hunting turkey, squirrel and deer spending great times at their "shack" near Baldwin. In retirement He and Lois not only liked traveling with local seniors groups, they also bought into a mobile home park in Palmetto, Florida. Over the 20 years that they wintered in Palmetto, the couple made many friends whether playing shuffleboard or going fishing. In time, daughter Sandy bought the trailer from them, thereby continuing the family tradition that started when her grandparents first vacationed in Palmetto. Ferris loved being a grandfather. He and Lois often babysat the grandchildren, and the kids in return learned a valuable work ethic as they helped in the garden. As he aged, Ferris remained an example of strength and determination. He continued to drive until he was 93, he walked for exercise and always wanted to help with yard work. Until recent years, he still went to the cabin regularly and hunted deer with his son. When his beloved Lois developed Alzheimers Disease, he cared for her on his own for many years until deciding to move to the home of his daughter Lynell and her husband Bruce. He remained with them after Lois died in 2001. Eventually Ferris body began to weaken, and the centenarian passed away Friday, November 15, 2013. Ferris and Lois had been faithful members at Eastland reformed Church and then Westwood Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon. It was evident that faith, church and family were important to Ferris, and all who knew and loved him can take comfort in his long life lived in service to the things of God. Mr. Ferris E. Hering, age 100 of Muskegon, Michigan is survived by his children, Sandra Davis of FL, Fred Hering of Muskegon and Lynell (Bruce) Wright of Muskegon; 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois and daughter, Dawn Sobczak. A service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, November 23, 2013, 11:00AM and visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Lake Harbor United Methodist Church with Rev. Mark Erbes officiating. Memorial contributions made to Lake Harbor United Methodist Church or Poppen Hospice House are greatly appreciated. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Funeral Home- Muskegon