Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Esther Leona Herman


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Esther Leona Herman and 21 of her descendants down to the third generation.


First Generation
1. Esther Leona Herman,1 born 10 August 1908 in Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan, the daughter of Frank David Herman and Leona Almira Gazley;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 died 24 November 1978 in Berrien, Berrien County, Michigan.1, 2 Esther married, 27 April 1925 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, William Howe1, 9 (born 2 February 1904 in Michigan, the son of John Hauch and Otillie Schlact;5, 6, 8, 9, 10 William died 4 April 1987 in Berrien, Berrien County, Michigan8, 10). Esther and William are buried in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Cassopolis, Cass County, Michigan.1, 8

Children of Esther Leona Herman and William Howe:

 2i. Justine Howe, born 11 August 1925 in Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan;5, 11 died 10 April 1939 in Niles, Berrien County, Michigan.11 Justine is buried in Long Lake Cemetery, Berrien Springs, Berrien County, Michigan.11
+3ii. Hilda A. Howe, born 7 August 1926 in Michigan; died 21 July 1981 in Berrien, Berrien County, Michigan. Married Richard Leidy.
+4iii. Robert Eugene Howe, born 26 April 1928 in Michigan; died 9 August 2015 in Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan. Married Virginia LaRue Christy.
+5iv. Jack David Howe, born 13 December 1929 in Berrien County, Michigan; died 31 March 1951 in South Korea. Married LaVerne Swain.
+6v. Shirley Yvonne Howe, born 5 June 1931 in Michigan; died 31 July 1990 in Jackson County, Oregon. Married Frank Lawer Dewey.
 7vi. Raymond Howe, born ca. 1935 in Michigan.6
+8vii. Gordon W. Howe, born 26 March 1939; died 26 December 2007 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan. Married Bonnie _____.
+9viii. Ronald Dean Howe, born 7 April 1940 in Michigan. Married Mary Ilene McAllister.
+10ix. Linda Margaret Howe, born 15 January 1944. Married (1) Edmund L. Hojara Married (2) _____ Sperry.
+11x. Jennifer Lou Howe, born 30 September 1946. Married (1) _____ Mitchell Married (2) Robert Frederick Conway.

  1. Find a Grave (website). Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Cassopolis, Cass County, Michigan, Esther L. Herman Howe: Howe / William / 1904-1987 / Esther L. / 1908-1978 [from headstone]. The record includes an obituary from The Niles Star, 24 November 1978, that gives birth, marriage and death dates, names of her husband, eight children and seven siblings.
  2. Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996; Esther Howe, died 24 November 1978 in Berrien, Berrien [County], Michigan, born 10 August 1908.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Michigan, Berrien County, Buchanan Township, Enumeration District 70, Sheet No. 3B, family of Frank Herman (39, Michigan, farmer); wife of 19 years Leona Herman (37, Michigan, 10 children, 9 living); father Christopher Herman (84, Germany, married 49 years); daughter Minnie I. Herman (16, Michigan); son Fred Herman (14, Michigan); daughter Hattie Herman (11, Michigan); daughter Ruby Herman (8, Michigan); son Ralph Herman (6, Michigan); daughter Margaret Herman (4, Michigan); son Albert Herman (2, Michigan); daughter Esther Herman (1 6/12, Michigan); daughter Mildred Herman (4/12, Michigan).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Berrien County, Buchanan Township, Enumeration District 82, Sheet No. 1A, family of Frank Herman (49, Michigan, farmer); wife Leona Herman (47, Michigan); daughter Ruby Herman (18, Michigan); son Ralph Herman (16, Michigan, farm laborer); daughter Margaret Herman (13, Michigan); son Albert Herman (12, Michigan); daughter Esther Herman (11, Michigan); daughter Mildred Herman (9, Michigan); son Wilson Herman (7, Michigan); daughter Illah Herman (6, Michigan); daughter Evelyn Herman (3 4/12, Michigan).
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Michigan, Berrien County, Buchanan Township, Enumeration District 11-22, Sheet No. 5A, family of William Howe (23, U.S., laborer, auto egg factory, first married age 18); wife Esther Howe (21, Michigan, first married age 17); son Justine Howe (4 8/12, Michigan); daughter Hilda Howe (3 8/12, Michigan); son Robert Howe (2, Michigan); son Jack Howe (9/12, Michigan). They are living next door to Esther’s parents and several siblings.
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Berrien County, Niles Township, Enumeration District 11-63, Sheet No. 61A, family of William Howe (37, Russia, machinist, auto shop); wife Esther Howe (32, Michigan); daughter Hilda Howe (13, Michigan); Robert Howe (11, Michigan); Jack Howe (10, Michigan); Shirley Howe (8, Michigan); Raymond Howe (5, Michigan); Gordon Howe (1, Michigan); Ronald Howe (8/12, Michigan).
  7. Sweet/Fish/Gazlay/Post Family Tree, Ancestry (website), Owner: Eagan Anderson, Florida. Although few sources are shown in this extensive tree, the birth, marriage, death, names, and other details typically agree with other sources. This tree is generally cited as a reference in our Gazlay Family History website only where the information is not found in any other source, such as children who died in infancy, middle names, etc.
  8. Find a Grave (website). Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Cassopolis, Cass County, Michigan, William Howe: Howe / William / 1904-1987 / Esther L. / 1908-1978 [from headstone]. The record includes an obituary from The Herald Palladium, 6 April 1987, that gives birth and death dates, names of his wife, eight children and four siblings.
  9. Michigan, Berrien County, Return of Marriages for the year ending December 31st, A.D. 1925, Wm Howe, age 22, born in Michigan; name of father: John; maiden name of mother: Miller; Esther Herman, age 18, born in Michigan; name of father: Frank; maiden of mother: Gazley; married 27 April 1925 in St. Joseph, Mich.
  10. Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996; William Howe, died 4 April 1987 in Berrien, Berrien [County], Michigan, born 2 February 1904.
  11. Find a Grave (website). Long Lake Cemetery, Berrien Springs, Berrien County, Michigan, Justin Allen Howe, born: 11 August 1925 in Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan; died: 10 April 1939 in Niles, Berrien County, Michigan (from record, which includes a copy of his obituary; and provides the names and links for his parent and two siblings).
Second Generation
3. Hilda A. Howe2 (Esther1), born 7 August 1926 in Michigan;1, 2, 3 died 21 July 1981 in Berrien, Berrien County, Michigan.1 Hilda married Richard Leidy (born ____, parents not determined).

4. Robert Eugene Howe2 (Esther1), born 26 April 1928 in Michigan;2, 3, 4, 5 died 9 August 2015 in Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan.4 Robert married, 1953, Virginia LaRue Christy6 (born 22 March 1931 in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Robert Elwood Christy and Mary Ethel George;6 Virginia died 22 July 2013 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan6). Robert and Virginia are buried in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles, Cass County, Michigan.4, 6

Children of Robert Eugene Howe and Virginia LaRue Christy:

 12i. Terry Howe.
 13ii. Larry Howe.
 14iii. Denise Howe.
 15iv. Tina Howe.
 16v. Scott Howe.

5. Jack David Howe2 (Esther1), born 13 December 1929 in Berrien County, Michigan;2, 3, 7 died 31 March 1951 in South Korea.7, 8 Jack married, 10 June 1950, LaVerne Swain7 (born ____, parents not determined).

Corporal Howe was a member of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy in South Korea on February 15, 1951 and died while a prisoner on March 31, 1951. His remains were not recovered.8


6. Shirley Yvonne Howe2 (Esther1), born 5 June 1931 in Michigan;3, 9 died 31 July 1990 in Jackson County, Oregon.9 Shirley married Frank Lawer Dewey11 (born 13 January 1925, the son of Howard W. Dewey and Lola Lawer;10, 11 Frank died 15 November 2009 in Lakeside, San Diego County, California10, 11).

Children of Shirley Yvonne Howe and Frank Lawer Dewey:

 17i. Pamela Dewey.
 18ii. Karen Dewey.
 19iii. David Dewey.
 20iv. Darrell Dewey.
 21v. LuAnne Dewey.

8. Gordon W. Howe2 (Esther1), born 26 March 1939;3, 12 died 26 December 2007 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan.12, 13 Gordon married Bonnie _____13 (born ____, parents not determined).

Child of Gordon W. Howe and Bonnie _____:

+22i. Kerri Jo Howe, born April 1975. Married Raffeele Santaniello.

9. Ronald Dean Howe2 (Esther1), born 7 April 1940 in Michigan.3, 5 Ronald married Mary Ilene McAllister (born 6 September 1939 in Washington County, Virginia, the daughter of Guy McAllister and Lucy _____;5, 14 Mary died 26 September 2009 in Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee14). Mary is buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Damascus, Washington County, Virginia.14

10. Linda Margaret Howe2 (Esther1), born 15 January 1944.5 Linda married, first, Edmund L. Hojara (born 20 October 1939, parents not determined;15 Edmund died 19 May 200015). Linda married, second, _____ Sperry (born ____, parents not determined).

11. Jennifer Lou Howe2 (Esther1), born 30 September 1946.5 Jennifer married, first, _____ Mitchell (born ____, parents not determined). Jennifer married, second, Robert Frederick Conway (born 25 December 1942, parents not determined5).

  1. Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996; Hilda A. Leidy, died 21 July 1981 in Berrien, Berrien [County], Michigan, born 7 August 1926.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Michigan, Berrien County, Buchanan Township, Enumeration District 11-22, Sheet No. 5A, family of William Howe (23, U.S., laborer, auto egg factory, first married age 18); wife Esther Howe (21, Michigan, first married age 17); son Justine Howe (4 8/12, Michigan); daughter Hilda Howe (3 8/12, Michigan); son Robert Howe (2, Michigan); son Jack Howe (9/12, Michigan). They are living next door to Esther’s parents and several siblings.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Berrien County, Niles Township, Enumeration District 11-63, Sheet No. 61A, family of William Howe (37, Russia, machinist, auto shop); wife Esther Howe (32, Michigan); daughter Hilda Howe (13, Michigan); Robert Howe (11, Michigan); Jack Howe (10, Michigan); Shirley Howe (8, Michigan); Raymond Howe (5, Michigan); Gordon Howe (1, Michigan); Ronald Howe (8/12, Michigan).
  4. Find a Grave (website). Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles, Branch County, Michigan, Robert Eugene Howe, born: 26 April 1928; died: 9 August 2015 in Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan (from record, which provides the names and links for his parents, two siblings, and wife).
  5. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  6. Find a Grave (website). Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles, Branch County, Michigan, Virginia LaRue Christy Howe, born: 22 March 1931 in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania; died: 22 July 2013 in Saint Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan (from record, which includes the text from her obituary; and provides the names and links for her parents, two siblings, and husband).
  7. Obituary, The Herald-Press, St. Joseph, Michigan; 19 March 1954, Jack David Howe, “Buchanan GI Assumed Dead.” The article indicates he is presumed dead in Korean War fighting, provides biographical information, and names his wife, parents, and siblings.
  8. Korean War Project. Jack David Howe, born: 13 December 1929, final disposition date: 31 March 1951. The record provides a brief summary of the circumstances of his loss while a prisoner of war.
  9. Oregon Death Index, 1898-2008, Shirley Yvonne Dewey; died: 31 July 1990 in Jackson [County]; born: 5 June 1931, spouse: Frank.
  10. History of Hartford [Michigan] - Military; Frank L. Dewey, born 13 January 1925, died 15 November 2009. The record summarizes his military service in the US Army during the Korean War, and names his wife, parents, and two siblings.
  11. Obituary, History of Hartford [Michigan] - Obituaries (website);. Frank L. Dewey, age 84, died 15 November 2009 in Lakeside, California. The obituary names his wife, children, parents, and siblings.
  12. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Gordon Howe, no. 386-38-1818, died 26 December 2007, born 26 March 1939.
  13. Deaths, SouthBendTribune.com, 30 December 2007, Gordon W. Howe, age 68, died on Wednesday [26 December] in St. Joseph. The obituary names his wife, daughter, and siblings.
  14. Obituary, Garrett Funeral Home (website), Damascus, Virginia, Mary Ilene McAllister Howe, died 26 September 2009 in Johnson City, Tennessee. The obituary gives the names of her parents, husband, children, and siblings.
  15. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Edmund L. Hojara, no. 384-40-5545, died 19 May 2000, born 20 October 1939.
Third Generation
22. Kerri Jo Howe3 (Gordon,2 Esther1), born April 1975.1 Kerri married Raffeele Santaniello (born June 1971, parents not determined1).

  1. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.