Craig resident Herman Siebert died Jan. 20, 2003. He was 85.

Siebert was born on Jan. 7, 1918, in Port Washington, Ohio, to Gustavus Wilhelm and Edith Caroline (Schreiner) Siebert. He grew up and attended school in the Port Washington area. Siebert’s family had come to Ohio in 1850. In 1880 the family home site in Tuskc County, Ohio, was established and records show that family reunions took place on the home site from 1894 to 1928, when the matriarch of the family passed away. The family has remained in and around Jefferson Township since those early days.

Siebert entered the U.S. Army in April of 1942 at Fort Hayes, Ohio. In 1944, he left the U.S. for war duty. He returned in 1945 and attained the rank Tech 4 and earned five medals, including Army Good Conduct, Army of Occupation, American Campaign, WW Il Victory along with three bronze stars for the European, African and Middle East campaign and the Northern France, Central Europe and Rhineland campaign. He was also a marksman.

When Siebert returned to America, he settled in the Wassilon, Ohio area. He was married and a son David was born in 1946. Siebert worked in construction and he also owned his own trucking company. After moving west, he worked at the Jim Bridger power plant. He also resided in Dixon, Wyo., for some 30 years.

Siebert spent a great amount of time helping Silvila Noyes after her husband passed away. He worked for her as a handy man and helped take care of her until her death. Siebert was known to the people of the valley as “Herman the German” and the word “cantankerous” was a word used to describe him. However, under that skin was a heart for people. When Moose Moss needed a bike, it was just a day or two later Siebert showed up with a new bike for Moose to ride.

Siebert enjoyed the valley and being outdoors. He also loved horses. In fact, he was known on Snake River for the time he rode his white horse into the Dixon Club.

About eight years ago, Siebert had his leg amputated and moved into the nursing home in Craig. There, he spent some time with Helen Southers until her death. He then moved to the VA nursing home in Rifle, Colo.

Siebert is survived by his sisters, Virginia Edith Domer, of Strasburg, Ohio, and Ruth Elizabeth (Harold) Steward, of Kent, Ohio; sister-in-law, Lorene “Tudy” Willamson, of Strasburg; stepson, Marvin “Butch” Weisgarber, of Scio, Ohio; son, David H. Siebert, of Palatka, Fla.; cousin, William Harding, of Craig; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and his dear friends, Emma and John McMillan of Craig and Savery, Wyo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister; two brothers, Roger and Willam Siebert.

Services were Jan. 27, 2003, at the Little Snake River Community Church with Paul Prestrud officiating. Pianist was Debbie Myers and soloists were Rae Lynne Prestrud and Jack Barnett.

Pallbearers were Riley Sovine, Lee Robidoux, Pee Wee Lloyd, Jim Richards, Butch Gross and Pat Waldron.

Honorary pallbearers were John McMillen, Leonard Mess, Bill Harding, Emma McMillen, Irv Gellner and Lawrence “Tater” Jordan.

Interment was at the Reader Cemetery. Graveside services were provided by officers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4265. Ann and Jason Wille played “Taps.”