Donald Wayne Hermeling

Mr. Donald "Donnie" Hermeling, 77, a resident of Petrey, Alabama, passed away peacefully with his family close by at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama on Monday, August 22nd, 2022. Funeral services for Mr. Hermeling will be held at 2 PM on Friday, August 26th, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home with Pastor Jeremiah Ramberg delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow in Petrey Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 12;30 PM until service time.

Donnie spent his working career in management at Pratt & Whitney in aircraft manufacturing for over 32 years until his retirement. In his younger days, he loved playing pool with family and friends. He was also a gifted musician, often playing the piano or guitar in various local bands. In later years, he took up golf and enjoyed the friendships and camaraderie the game engendered. Having been born and raised in Florida, Donnie was a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan and firmly wished the coaches could hear him yelling through his TV screen when they made bad calls! After their move to Petrey, he became a dedicated member of their Town Council for 17 years. His strong-willed personality served his community well as he was influential in the drive for improvements, including a new park and walking trails for all to enjoy. He was also a founding member of the Northeast Crenshaw Fire Department and served as a member of their board until his passing. Donnie was a true servant for his community, the type who didn't care one bit about getting the credit as long as he made life better for everyone.

Most importantly, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His family always looked to him as their loving and generous patriarch who could be counted on to constantly be there for them whenever they needed him. There was no one he enjoyed spending time with more than his beloved family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was their role model for so many aspects of their lives and had a significant influence and impact on all those who knew and loved him. Words cannot properly express how much Donnie will be missed by his family, friends, and community as a whole. We should all hope to leave behind such a legacy of love and public service as he has.

Mr. Hermeling was preceded in death by his parents, George & Jewell Merlene Sorrells Hermeling, and his brother, Dolton Henry Hermeling. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Peggy Hart Hermeling; children, Donna Lynn Hermeling, Steven Wayne (Melissa) Hermeling, and Daniel Keith Hermeling; grandchildren, Keith (Sasha) Hermeling, Nicole Quinn, Brendan (Kayla) Hermeling, Kevin Hermeling, Joshua Hermeling, Allison Bryan, and Taylor Hermeling; great-grandchildren, Amya, Olivia, Jayden, Laura, Nathan, and Zoey; aunt, Marie (Lavon) Spoon; sister-in-law, Brenda Hermeling; brother-in-law, Kenneth Hart Jr; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Active pallbearers will be Keith Hermeling, Brendan Hermeling, Kevin Hermeling, Joshua Hermeling, Brian Hermeling, and Patrick Parks.