John H. Herr, Jr., 98

January 20, 2024

John H. Herr, Jr, best known as the owner of John Herr’s Village Market in Millersville, left this world on January 20th, a few months shy of his 99th birthday. Known fondly as Jack, he will be deeply missed by family and friends, and the people of Millersville who knew him as employees and customers of this one-of-a-kind family market.

While John worked at the store since he was a teen, he officially took over the family business in 1964. It is a grocery store which began with his grandfather David Herr in 1919 at the 10 Manor Avenue location, and then was passed to John’s father in 1945.

Herr and his father saw the original Manor Ave store through several expansions, and in 1974 moved the store across the street to where it stands today. In the years since, and with four expansions, the current store grew to over 54,000 square-feet. At the height of John’s time in business, the store was serving as many as nine to ten thousand customers weekly.

His employees were known for being friendly and helpful, and even though the retail space grew in size, the store retained the feeling of being a family run market. It was easy for customers to get to know John as he was often arranging products on the shelves and for displays, helping at the check-out counters or spending time in the office at the front of the market. He was always on the move making sure everything was in order as he was motivated by customer satisfaction. As customers got to know John they may have also gotten to know his second wife, Joanne, who worked in the front office with him for several decades.

Under John’s dedication to detail and service, the store was a hub for the Millersville community. For years the store served as an art gallery for the drawings of children and teens from Penn Manor. On many occasions there were fundraisers at the check-out, where people were stationed to raise money for local causes. Starting in the 1940s, when it came to Easter, the store rolled out what was called Easter Avenue. The “Avenue” probably displayed more chocolate bunnies, candies and baskets than any other grocery around.

Decades before grocery chains sold rotisserie chicken, the market was known for its rotisserie BBQ chickens, its deli sides, green cheese and Lancaster’s own Whoopee pies and raisin dotted sugar cookies. The store provided catering for companies like Hager’s Department Store, Armstrong and service clubs.

John Herr’s Village Market is known for its over the counter service meat department and butchers, who many customers got to know by name. To set the store apart from the big chains, John always had packers curbside, ready to help load groceries into cars, and baggers for each checkout line.

As a teen, John discovered an interest in drawing, he transferred his love for drawing into his time at the store’s drafting table, where for decades his beautiful hand-drawn calligraphy signs announced the store specials on any given week. John also enjoyed designing the ads for the New Era every Sunday evening.

John’s employee base grew as the store grew, and he managed as many as 140 employees. Frequently multiple generations of families worked at his store, as well as local students, and retired workers as well. He was also flexible with hiring to meet the needs of his employees’ families.

John knew how to give back. He enjoyed supporting agencies that helped others and was often recognized for his investment in the Millersville community. He gave generously to local non-profits and supported various community groups with fundraising events at the store.

Herr was presented with numerous awards for his community service including the Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 1998, which is the highest honor given to a club member by the Lions Club International Foundation. In 1991 the Millersville Woman’s Club named Herr Man of the Year. In 1976 and 1969 he was named Lion of the Year by the Millersville Lions Club, and in 1972 and 1961 the Millersville Jaycees proclaimed him their Outstanding Citizen. Herr was also elected to the PA Hall of Fame of Champions of Older Workers. Perhaps one of his most enjoyable honors was being named the first Grand Marshall of the annual Millersville Parade in 2001.

John was a man admired for his nurturing of the community. In 1960, as president of the Millersville Lions Club, he spearheaded the capital drive to build a swimming pool which is still enjoyed today. He acted as president of the Millersville Area Meals on Wheels in 1992 and served as a Penn Manor School Director, and was appointed to the Millersville Advisory Board of the Commonwealth National Bank.

He received many types of honors including a Citation of Service from the PA House of Representatives in 1991 for his enduring contributions to the welfare of the Millersville community. In 1997 he received an honorary Alumnus Award from Millersville University for employing hundreds of Millersville students and graduates, and for his financial support of the school.

In 2001, at the age of 76, John finally retired from the grocery business after devoting nearly sixty years of service to his beloved customers and to Millersville.

John’s story also included his WWII tour of duty. Enlisting into the Army Air Force at the age of 17, he was required to submit his parents’ written permission, along with a letter of recommendation from his high school principal. He joined the Air Force with hopes of flying, but instead joined the 416th Squadron as a left wing gunner on a B-17 bomber, which flew combat missions out of Italy. On one mission to Berlin where the plane took on enemy fire leaving an eight-by-seven foot hole in the wing, and the crew lucky to be alive as they had to fly at a low altitude through the valleys of the Italian Alps while losing fuel. His service earned him the European-African-Middle Eastern medal with three bronze stars.

After the war and before returning to the states John traveled to Italy, Israel, Egypt, and northern Africa. For as much time as he spent running the store, he did make room for other life adventures, like trips with his son Dan to places like Europe, going cross country with his wife, and trips to Florida and the Jersey shore.

Anyone who got to know John knew him for his kindness, caring ways, big heart and his generosity of spirit. For his standing in the community, John was a modest man who knew how to take an interest in others, and always had nice things to say about people. And as he had a bit of the Pennsylvania Dutch in him, he will be fondly remembered for letting you know — things are wonderful good!

John was the son of John H. Herr, Sr. and Dorothie (Peters) Herr. He is survived by his son, Daniel, and his wife Tina, Bluffton, SC and grandson Frank J. Herr; his stepsons and their wives David and Kimberly Troop, and Michael and Tina Troop; eight step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister’s three children, Kate Lutz, Kim Lutz and Harry Lutz, Jr. John was preceded in death by his first wife Vera (Brenneman) Herr, and second wife, Joanne Troop Herr, his brother Bob Herr, sister Beverly Lutz, and his stepdaughter, Susan Leaf.

As Jack would say “Bye for now”. We will miss you Jack Herr Jr.

Friends and family are invited to attend the Funeral Services honoring Jack’s life on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10am at Millersville Community UMC Grace Campus 163 W. Frederick St. Millersville, PA 17551 with the Pastor Kerry Leeper officiating. The family will receive friends at a viewing on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 5pm-7pm at the Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, PA 17584 and again on Thursday at the church from 9-10am. Interment will be in the adjoining Grace UMC Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to the Jack & Joanne Herr Scholarship Fund c/o Penn Manor Education Foundation PO Box 1001 Millersville PA 17551 or to the Blue Rock Fire Rescue, 26 E. Charlotte St. Millersville PA, 17551.

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