Alva L. Herrmann, a longtime Agra area resident, passed away in his home on Monday, April 29, 2013 at the age of 76 years.

He was born near Parkland, Oklahoma on August 6, 1936 to Carl Julius Herrmann and Bonnie Jewell Howard. The sixth of seven children, Alva was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Bonnie; his three sisters Alice, Elois and Tennessee, and brother Carl.

Alva married Janice Lanetta Thompson on Dec 31, 1955. For seven years they made their home on Highway 18 in the same house where Dwayne and Darlene live today, after this they moved to the home Alva built with the help of friends and family. They lived in this home for the rest of their married life together. As the family walks around the farm, every structure, item in the dirt, and various objects lying around hold memories of work, play, learning and living.

He worked some as a mechanic at Forsee Chevrolet in Cushing and some driving trucks for Gibble Oil. He learned to farm from his father, and made his living as a farmer and running a dairy. After selling out of the dairy he purchased a bull dozer and worked around the county and some in the neighboring counties, building ponds and doing various dirt work. This transitioned into his construction carrier working as a superintendent. He taught his children {and many others} many skills and the value of honest hard work. He taught us here to “get it done” with what we had, and never give up.

Alva served for many years on the Agra school board but from an early age he considered his primary vocation to be his service to God. Alva and Janice were baptized into the Church of The Firstborn in February 1956 by Brother Bob Tibbett, they have dedicated their life in service to God and friends and family. He began preaching the gospel around the age of 30, and was ordained as a bishop at the Parkland Church on July 30, 1978.

Alva and Janice traveled many thousand miles preaching the gospel and visiting. Many heard the gospel through his preaching and were baptized by him. He performed numerous wedding ceremonies and officiated at many funerals.... he was always glad to be of service to others.

One of his hobbies was flying. He held a private pilot license and owned a Cessna aircraft for many years. During this time he enjoyed flying with friends and traveling among the brethren. He had big plans to build and surprise his wife Janice with a cabin in the woods and build a wagon for his horse Sugar to pull.

Survivors include his wife Janice of the home; five children, Terry Lee Herrmann of Agra; Linda Rene Fick and her husband Terry of Agra; Curtis Louis Herrmann and his wife Karla of Agra; Lora Michelle Jackson and her husband Gerald of Agra; and Kyle LaDean Herrmann and his wife Courtney of Agra; seventeen grandchildren, Trenton Herrmann and his wife Sunny; Megan Nelson and her husband Justin; Seth Herrmann and his wife Amanda; Amy Ervin; Garrett Fick; Gavin Fick; Chantel Griffith and her husband Preston; Gabriel Herrmann and his wife Kourtney; Rebekah Herrman and her husband Daniel; Samuel Herrmann; Zach Herrmann; Blake Jackson; Katie Jackson; Kaleb Jackson; Mackenzie Herrmann; Kennedy Herrmann; and Paisley Herrmann; ten great-grandchildren; two brothers, Eugene Herrmann of Texas; and Dwayne Herrmann and his wife Darlene of Agra; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of the Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Cushing, Oklahoma and will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2013 in the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, Parkland, Oklahoma.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Burial will follow in the Parkland Cemetery.