About Us

Mark Herman is the sole proprietor of the Herman Funeral Homes in Fremont and Gibsonburg.

Mark is a Gibsonburg native and graduate of Gibsonburg High School. His parents, Robert and Mary (Kirwen) Herman had eight children, Mark being the youngest. He is the first in his immediate family to attain a bachelor’s degree, attending both BGSU and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, one of the top of his class. It was in 1990 that Mark and Charlie Nopper, owner of the Nopper-Veh Funeral Home, began their relationship. Once completing coursework in 1994, Mark served his apprenticeship with Charlie, who, at that time, recently acquired the Karlovetz Mortuary. It was there and then Mark began living in Fremont. Mark met Amanda Robarge while working at the funeral home. In 2008, they were married. Their son, Elliot, was a gift arriving in 2012. They live in rural Fremont, located between the two business locations.

As a sole owner of a business, husband, and father, Mark is dedicated to his personal responsibilities and to the people he serves. He belongs to several professional organizations, including Ohio and National Funeral Directors Associations and the Ohio Embalmers Association. His home parish is St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Gibsonburg. Mark understands the importance of contributing to the community and is an advocate of charity and voluntary involvement. The funeral home has a relationship with the Fremont Lions Club, the Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce, the Hospice of ProMedica Memorial Hospital, the Fremont Exchange Club, the Fremont Soup Kitchen, the Fremont Eagles, and Volunteers of America.

In his spare time, Mark enjoys driving his ATVs, hunting, fishing, golfing, and NASCAR.

Amanda Herman joined the staff at the funeral homes in July 2004. She has always lived in Fremont and continues to reside here with her family. On July 26, 2008, she married Mark Herman. Together, they have a loving and lively son, Elliot.

Throughout her employment, Amanda has dedicated herself to each of the families who walk through our doors. She has always strived to exhibit her compassion through the care of the deceased and their loved ones.

Amanda continues to find great satisfaction in working funeral services and places a great deal of value on her work with grieving families. Currently, Amanda is one of the licensed funeral directors and embalmers working here at the funeral home. Amanda says, "I am passionate about the work that God has called me to do, and I hope to serve Him by being there for others."

Julie began with the Herman Funeral Homes family in November 2020 after managing Keller-Koch-Chudzinski Funeral Home for 15 years. 

She is a graduate of St. Joseph High School and went on to earn her Bachelors in Business from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toledo. Julie is also an Ohio licensed insurance agent. 

Julie currently serves on ProMedica Memorial Hospital's Board of Trustees, Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce Board and a former Trustee and Board Member of Oakwood Cemetery. She is a certified Jazzercise instructor, and is an advisor for the Jackson Busy Beavers 4-H Club. 

Julie is married to Nick Smith. They reside in Fremont with their children. 

Rebecca is the daughter of Karen and Matthew Frederick and she has an older brother, Brad. She has a black belt from Hess's Oriental martial Arts in Fremont and is a member of the  Sandusky County Sportsmans Club and CrossFit 1926. She grew up in Fremont and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 2009.

After graduation, she attended Terra State Community College where she obtained her Associate of Science degree in 2011 and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where she obtained a Bachelor of Mortuary Science in 2012. Following graduation, she completed her apprenticeship with Herman Funeral Homes and became licensed as a funeral director and embalmer. Having previously worked for Keller-Koch-Chudzinski Funeral Home, she has proudly served her fellow residents of Sandusky County her entire career and looks forward to being there for families in need in the future.

Jozie joined the Herman Funeral Homes family in January 2020. 

She was born and raised in Tiffin, graduating from Old Fort High School in 2016. After high school, Jozie attended Tiffin University for an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. In 2018, she graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science with a Bachelor's degree and Crematory Operator's permit. She is also a Certified Funeral Celebrant. She completed her apprenticeship and returned to Fremont, obtaining her Funeral Director and Embalmer licenses in May of 2020. 

Active in the arts, Jozie enjoys singing and watching live music in her free time. She is a proud Old Fort Stockader and is excited to get better acquainted with Fremont. Jozie is also the current President of the Sandusky County Young Professionals, an ambassador with the Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Gibsonburg Community Corporation. 

Jozie is thankful to have the opportunity to give back to the Fremont and Gibsonburg communities and is honored to offer support through the grieving process. 

Kari joined Herman Funeral Homes as the Advanced Planning Specialist and Aftercare Coordinator in February 2022. She was born and raised in Mentor, OH, and graduated from Mentor High School, where she completed her Senior Project by shadowing a funeral director. Then graduated from Ohio University in 2008 and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2009. After finishing her apprenticeship, she became an Ohio Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 2011.

While working at a cemetery, she met her husband Matt and they were married in 2019. They now have two beautiful girls, Amelia and Layla. They enjoy spending time outdoors, especially with their three dogs, Milo, Max and Mace. Kari is a member of the Embalmers Association of Cleveland, enjoys Zumba, and loves going to wineries.

Kari likes educating people and making sure they feel like they left a gift for their families by taking away the scary, unknown, and financial burdens that occur when a loved one passes away.

Sharon Smith is the daughter of Linda and the late Rodney Burkett. She is a native of Fremont, graduating from St. Joseph Central Catholic High School. She has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Findlay.

Sharon and her husband, Chris, live in Fremont. She has two children; Maurene (husband, Jarrad Whited) and Jared. Sharon enjoys working in her greenhouse and spending time with her family, including her dogs and grand-dogs. She is the current treasurer for the Sandusky County Always Choose Health Levy.

Sharon joined the funeral home in 2013 after many years in the banking industry and is presently the financial controller of Herman Funeral Homes.

In February 2014, Mike joined the Herman Funeral Homes family.

He grew up in Tiffin, graduating from Calvert High School in 1966. After a year of working, he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and spent a total of 4 years, including 1 1/2 years in the Philippines, working as an Air Traffic Controller. He received his discharge in November of 1971.

Since then, Mike has worked a variety of jobs, including Law Enforcement, Manufacturing and Transportation, retiring in 2010. He spent more than 40 years as a member of the Lindsey Volunteer Fire Department.  He's been fortunate enough to have lived every little boy's dream... He's been a police officer, a fireman, a truck driver, and many others.

Mike is married to Judy Sauber. He has a son,  daughter, two step-daughters, and, of course, all of their significant others, and 4 grandchildren. 

Nicole Whetstone started at Herman Funeral Homes on June 1, 2019. Nicole takes on multiple responsibilities for visitations, funeral services and office work throughout the funeral home.

Nicole was born and raised in Fremont, but moved in 2007 to Gibsonburg where she resides today. She is the oldest of 4 children and is the only one who still lives in the area.

She graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1991. Before working at the funeral homes, she was a prekindergarten teacher for 27 years, working 17 of those years in Toledo. Nicole earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Terra Community College in 1995 and attended many classes at BGSU to earn her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.

Nicole is a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she is the Children's Ministry Coordinator where she is teaching children of all ages. As a member of the church, Nicole also attains the role/chairperson of several leadership teams.

In her free time, Nicole likes to sing, practice calligraphy, do floral arrangements & crafts and spend time with her family and friends. Nicole is very eager to learn more about the business and operations. 

"I always had the compassion to help others and by working at the funeral homes, it will give me an opportunity to help the grieving families as they go through such a rough and difficult time."

Monte has been married to Karla for 50 years. They have three children and seven grandchildren. Monte is retired from the Fremont Police Department after serving 35 years in law enforcement. Monte retired after 40 years as a part-time instructor at Terra Community College and is also a volunteer for the Sandusky County Food Pantry. Monte is also an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. 

Monte has served his community for many years and looks forward to other avenues to help others.

Dave Johnson began working for Herman Funeral Homes in November of 2014.

Dave and his wife Debbie are lifelong residents of Gibsonburg. They have been married for 42 years and have three grown children; Dana, Derek, and Danielle. They also are blessed with seven grandchildren.

Dave is a graduate of the University of Toledo with degrees in Business Technology and Accounting. He worked at Libbey Glass for 31 years, retiring in 2005, and then became the Gibsonburg Village Administrator for nine years.

Dave is an active member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving on church council, and being involved with many of their youth outreach programs. He also serves as an assistant scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 339 in Fremont. Dave and Debbie enjoy tent camping and other outdoor activities with their grandchildren.

Eugene “Gene” Nehls joined the Herman Funeral Homes’ staff in March 2017.

As a lifelong resident of Sandusky County growing up in Hessville, Gene graduated from Gibsonburg High School and Vanguard Vocational.  He continued his education through an apprenticeship, becoming a licensed plumber, welder and pipefitter working in Toledo.  During some of that time, he shared his knowledge by instructing the apprenticeship night school for 20 years, until his retirement in 2008.

Gene holds a current CDL and loves to travel.  He drove a charter bus until 2015 and is currently a part-time linen truck driver for Reino’s Cleaners in Gibsonburg.

He is a very active member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in Hessville.  Gene and his wife of 41 years, Shirley, live in Hessville and have three children.  Their five adorable granddaughters are their treasure and keep them very young at heart.

Mary is married to Joe Saalman for 59 years. They have two daughters, three grandchildren, and three great-grandsons. She enjoys spending time with her family very much.

She has been a resident of Sandusky County since 1976.

Her hobbies include traveling, looking for special antiques, listening to country music, and spending time in her flower gardens.

Mary retired after 35 years of furniture sales between Ann Lens in Fremont and Ewald Furniture in Tiffin. Helping people always has been her passion.

She is a member of Sacred Heart Church, Moose and Eagles Clubs, and was previously an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County. Mary has participated with them previously while working in Fremont. She and her husband are really involved in community functions.

Mary aspires to help and comfort you in your special time of need.

Tom grew up in Gibsonburg, class of 1971. In the eyes of many, he is considered a hero who was able to save many lives and properties as an active firefighter for 30 years and now is a life member. Tom is also known as the bicycle guy in town, as he has been repairing bicycles for 60 years. He worked at a lime plant for 43 years. Since his retirement, Tom joined to Herman Funeral Home staff and was also a custodian for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Tom and his wife, Jodie, have been married for 49 years and have two children, Stacie, who is married to Stephen, and Stephanie. They also have three grandchildren, Katie, Kevin and Valerie. Along with 3 great-grandchildren, Audrey, Braxton and Brodie.

In his spare time, Tom enjoys golfing, cycling, playing dart ball and playing cards. He enjoys all types of music and collects vinyl records. Tom is an avid recycler, a handyman but most of all, a family man.

John Elder began working for Herman Funeral Homes in the Summer of 2021. 

He grew up in Fremont, graduating in 1979. After graduating from Heidelberg College in 1983, John returned to Fremont and began his teaching career at Fremont Ross High School. He remained in that position until retiring in 2017. During his career, he was the head track and cross country coach. 

John has been married to Holly Elder for 33 years. Together, they have two daughters. 

Along with working at the funeral home, John is currently the boys head track and cross country coach at Ross. John is also an at-large member of the Fremont City Council.