[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 191 (Monday, November 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING HERMAN ZERGER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 1, 2021

  Mr. RYAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mr. Herman 
``Zerg'' Zerger, Jr., of Woodsfield, Ohio. Herman Zerger passed away on 
Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Arbors of Woodsfield, Ohio.
  He was born at Woodsfield, Ohio on January 5, 1924, a son of the late 
Herman and Sylvia Mowder Zerger. Herman was a 1942 graduate of 
Woodsfield High School, Woodsfield, Ohio and was also a retired owner 
and operator of Zerger's Quarry for over 50 years. He served 10 years 
as a Special Duty Sheriff in Monroe County and was elected five 
consecutive terms as Center Township Trustee. He was a member of the 
First United Methodist Church, Woodsfield, Ohio. During WWII in 1942, 
he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a Platoon Sergeant with 
Rifle Co. I-141st Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. He fought 300 days 
on the front line in 31 battles in both Italy and France. He cast his 
first vote (for Franklin Delano Roosevelt) from a foxhole facing the 
Germans before being taken as a prisoner on February 3, 1945 by the SS 
troops.
  He was one of the founding charter members of the V.F.W. Post 5303, 
Woodsfield, Ohio where he served as a trustee for 40 years and the 40 & 
8 Grand Voiture of Ohio No. 363 where he served as Chaplain. He is a 
life member in Ohio Chapter No. 1 American Ex-Prisoner of War; Life 
Member of American Legion Post No. 87, Woodsfield, Ohio; former member 
of the Monroe County Democratic Central and Executive Committee where 
he served as the Monroe County Democratic Chairman for 45 years, being 
the longest serving county chair in Ohio; life-long Trustee of the 
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 8; charter member of the 141st 
Infantry Regiment 36th Division; life member of Veterans Battle of the 
Bulge, Buckeye Ohio Chapter No. 1; life member of the Combat 
Infantryman's Association; Ohio Combat Infantryman's Association; Akron 
Chapter C.I.B.; life member of the Texas 36th lnfantryman's 
Association; life member of Midwest Chapter 36th Division Association 
141st Regiment Co. I; American Order of the French Croix de Guerre, 
Inc.; 5th Army Association; life member of American Ex-Prisoners of War 
No. 9114; life member of the Ohio Chapter No. 1 American Ex-Prisoners 
of War; charter member and former vice commander of Mid-Ohio Valley 
Chapter 15 Ex-Prisoners of War; charter member Mid- Ohio Valley Chapter 
No. 743 of the Purple Heart; recipient of the Bronze Star for action at 
Riquewihr, France; Diploma from the French Government National 
Association of the Cross of War, T.O.E. and Military Valor-Paris 
Citation ordered by the Army; and the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, 
Doris Williams and Ruth Roth; a stepson, Gary Russell and a step-
daughter, Chris Russell Schenerlein.
  Surviving are his companion, Clair Thompson of Stafford, Ohio; a 
niece, Dee (Mike) Vargo of Woodsfield, Ohio; a nephew, Stephen (Erlene) 
Williams of Chickasha, Oklahoma; a step-daughter, Connie (Hank) Kaufman 
of Johnstown, Ohio; a great-niece, Alexis Vargo; three great-nephews, 
Christian Vargo, Brian Williams and Jeff Williams; a special cousin, 
Rick (Kitty) Zerger of Caldwell, Ohio; several step-grandchildren; 
special friends including, Joe (Robin) Bishop of Woodsfield, Ohio, John 
Marshall of Columbus, Ohio and Mark (Lorie) Easton of South Carolina.
  I was blessed to have the friendship of an icon of military service 
and the state Democratic Party. I pray for peace for his family during 
this troubling time.

                          ____________________