"TELL HIM I MISS HIM, I AM GETTING BRAND NEW ELECTRIC CHAIR"
In loving memory of
Gilbert Herrin
June 5, 1962 - February 10, 2011
Gilbert "Mark" Herrin age 48 of Waunakee passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2011 in Michigamme, Michigan. He was born on June 5, 1962 in Elmhurst, Illinois. The son of William and Barbara Herrin. He married Catherine Durkin on February 24, 1995 in Marquette, Michigan. After growing up in Lombard Illinois Mark attended Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology and then transferred to Lewis University graduating with a degree in airport management and philosophy. He then went on to achieve his commercial airline pilot license while working at American Flyers as a mechanic and instructor. After flying with American Eagle for many years he joined United Airlines as a pilot flying 727s, and Airbus's. He was an active member of the Airline Pilot Association. Mark loved outdoor activities including, but not limited to camping, sailing, fishing, golfing, swimming, hiking, geocaching, downhill skiing, sledding with his sons, archery. and his new found love of waterparks. Mark died doing what he loved - snowmobiling, at the home of his heart - the UP. Although flying was his life long passion, and few have the privilege to do it for a living, being in the UP among nature in all seasons was his heart and spirit rejuvenating joy. Mark's love of the UP was shared by his wife Catherine. She was the love of his life and he was the love of her life. He was a wonderful husband. Mark and Catherine shared many passions but particularly that of being the best possible parents to their two wonderful boys. Mark was the best dad ever. His sons were the center of his life and he made all efforts to be the kind of father he knew they deserved. Although a grown man he was still a child at heart when it came to spending time with his sons and his sons friends. He loved showing them the wonders of his many hobbies. He also provided guidance and assistance in all of their endeavors. He loved watching his boys swim and could not have been prouder of their achievements. Mark wholeheartedly dove into supporting and assisting the success of his eldest son Christopher in his first year of scouting. He shared a deep passion for all things mechanical - particularly snowmobiles - with his youngest son Alex. Mark is survived by his loving wife Catherine Durkin-Herrin and his two sons Christopher and Alex, his parents Barbara Herrin, William Herrin (Fran), his brother Steven Herrin, and his uncle Bill and aunt Pat, his mother in law Marguerite Durkin, brother in law Dan Durkin (Liz) his nieces and nephew Emily, David, Clare, Laura, Sarah, his sister in law Ruth-Margaret Durkin and too many dear friends and extended family to list. He was preceded in death by his father in law James Durkin. Funeral services will be held on Wed. Feb 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St John's Catholic Church 209 South St Waunakee. Friends may call at the Winn-Cress Funeral in Waunakee on Tues. Feb 15, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Friends may also call at the church on Wed. from 10:00a.m until the time of services. The family asks that you please consider organ and tissue donation. Mark made a difference in up to 50 people's lives with his donations.
Tributes
"Dear Catherine and family, I am very, very sorry for your loss. Mark and I flew many times over the years at United and I always enjoyed his company, his strong work ethic, his professionalism and that wry sense of humor. He was an excellent aviator and took pride in doing things up to his standards. Professional standards. When you flew with Mark the trip always operated at a higher level. I enjoyed listening to the stories about the planned trips to Russia, the cabin stories and the unbridled pride with which he spoke of his boys. I spend a fair amount of time in the U.P. and northern Wisconsin and although we hadn't had the chance to get together in the north woods yet I knew it was just a matter of time and was really looking forward to the day. I am so sorry that I wasn't able to attend the service being out of the country during the time. Mark will be missed by many people at United. I am very happy to have called him my friend."
" Dear Bobbi, We are very sorry for your loss of son Mark. You and your family will be in our prayers and our thoughts. Take care. Fred and Ophelia Wong"
"Cathy, I was so sorry to hear about your husband. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Micki"
"I will miss you "Pilot Hero" and all the card games that we will never play. Rest In Peace. Love you forever...-Bobbie Sue"
"Catherine, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I know there isn't anything I can do to bring him back, but if there is anything I can do to help please let me know. May peace be with you during this very difficult time. Sam Osman"
"Catherine, I am so saddened to hear about Mark, he was a great person and friend. I know we haven't seen you guys in a long time, Brad and I considered you close friends, always having fun during the pool league days. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family. "
"Catherine and family- I wish to extend my deepest condolences in this time of sorrow. I hope that you all stay healthy, and strong, and remember your good times with a smile. "
"Kathryn, I am so sorry about Mark. I'm just sick. I'm going to miss him alot. I know I didn't see the both of you very much but I considered you both very dear friends and I always will. You are in my prays. Be strong for your boys. I hope to see you and the boys soon. I'm glad I got to talk to Mark at kathy Bowens reseption. He was always a good talker. Take care and God bless you all. Love you girlfriend!"
"Catherine, I am so, so sorry for your loss. Words can not express, my heart goes out to you and your family! Love , Laurel "
"Dear Catherine, Christopher & Alex and Barb and Steve - We are so brokenhearted over the loss of Mark and our prayers for comfort and strength are with you! Mark was like a son to Roger and Georgia and a brother to all of us in our family. He was deeply loved by all of us and will be sorely missed. We are here for you and although we are not able to attend the funeral - we will be with you in spirit. All of our love, Roger, Louise and Kim Johnson"
"Catherine, I am so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I know I can't even begin to fathom what you are feeling right now but please know that you have a wonderful "extended family" here at American Family Insurance. If there is anything I can do, please let me know."
"Catherine, I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Everyone here at eLoyalty is thinking of you and sending you strength. "
"Catherine, Christopher & Alex - I am so sorry to hear of your loss. If there is anything Joe & I can do, please let us know. Your being with each other and being there for one another will help you in this difficult time. Know that Mark is your angel looking over and protecting you. He wants you to remember the good times. He wants you to know it is okay to sit around talking & laughing about all the fun you have had together. Please, let us know if we can help with anything. Angie, Joe, Kateri "
"Catherine, I am so, so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine what it feels like to lose a husband. Just know that so many of us here at American Family are thinking of you and your family. Words just cannot express a way that I feel can help you, but...I am thinking of you."
"Dear Catherine, It was with a great sense of loss when I heard of your husband's death. I wanted to let you know that you have my greatest sympathy, and my heart is truly saddened. Catherine, I have included you in my daily prayers. May God give you strength. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you. With my deepest sympathy, Edwin Leon"
"Catherine, I'm so sorry to hear about Mark. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your boys and family. It sounds like he was a wonderful man......cherish the memories."
"Catherine, I was so shocked and sorry to hear of Mark's death. I know you shared a great love with him and the boys. If there is anything I can do to help you please do NOT hesitate to call or text me at the number listed below. Jan Lindeman"
"Bobbie, Catherine and Family, I ao so very sorry to hear of your loss. What a wonderful son, husband, father and friend Mark was to all of you. You have my deepest sympathy and prayers. Nancy Kelly"
"I worked with Mark at United. Although I was told for years that there was another 'yooper' working at United, I didn't have the pleasure of meeting him until just recently. In our short relationship, Mark shared with me his love of all things Michigan. He was especially proud of his home there and showed me many pictures. I enjoyed his passion of being up north and share that with him. Mark will be missed but his spirit lives on forever in our north woods. Bob McGuffin"
"I had the pleasure of working with Mark many times over the past few years. It was always uplifting when I saw his name on my trips. Knowing we would share duties in the cockpit made going to work more enjoyable. We also shareed the experience of attending the Spartan School of Aeronautics. Mark spoke often and fondly of his life at home with his wife and kids. It was apparent that one of his favorite things was spending time in the UP with his family. He will be missed in the cockpit and even more so as a friend."
"I'll never forget the first time I met Mark in operations at O'Hare. I asked Mark where he was from. "Michigan". Where in Michigan? "The UP". Where in the UP? Mark said "Some little town you probably never heard of". Try me I answered. "Michigamme" Mark replied. To which I said I had a cabin north of Republic. We quickly realized our cabins were only a few miles apart. It was great to visit Mark and Catherine at there place in the UP. Whenever we met again in ops, Mark and I would always trade cabin stories. Mark was a great friend and will be truly missed. Catherine, we pray that you and the boys will feel the love of Christ now and forever."
"Cathrien, Christopher,and Alex I am so very sorry for you lost of Mark and your Dad We will all miss him so very much "
"Catherin, Christopher Alex, Mark was more then just a friend he was special, our love for him will never be forgotten. "
"We met Mark and Catherine through my brother Jim, a dear friend of Mark's and fellow pilot. It was a privilege to have met him. Mark was a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor and smile. My husband Tom and I send our heartfelt condolences, god bless, and peace to all of his family and friends."
"As members of your extended yooper family, we will always remember the warm welcomes, and good times we shared with Mark, his family, and friends at his Lakeside cottage. We extend our deepest sympathy at your loss. All of our Yooper warmth and Love THE CREW"