Herkimer- Henry James Herkel, age 86 of Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, and formerly of Main Road East Herkimer went to be with the Lord on Monday morning August 27, 2001 in Faxton - Saint Luke's Medical Center, New Hartford with his loving family at his side. He was born on August 11, 1915, in Herkimer, a son of the late Joseph and Caroline Kafka Herkel. raised and educated in Herkimer, in April of 1936 he married Nathaleen Lockwood of Little Falls in St. Francis deSales Church, Herkimer. The shared a devoted bond of 64 years until her passing on May 6th of this year. For over 25 years he worked for UNIVAC, retiring in the mid 1970's. After his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed many years of travel together with his sister and brother-in-law Betty and Joseph Keddell. He was a volunteer with the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years. Henry enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid gardener however his life centered on his family. A wise man, with firm teachings in a gentle manner, is how his family will remember him most. Surviving are two sons, Lawrence and his wife Sally Herkel of Palm Bay, Fl, Henry James Jr. and his wife Vivian Herkel of Frankfort; two daughters, Donna K. Herkel of Utica, Colleen VanVechten of Herkimer; fourteen grandchildren, Scott and his wife Tracie, Lori and Bruce Bales, Lisa and Rex Frodge, Daniel and Carol Herkel, Brian and Jennifer Herkel, Timothy Herkel, John Patrick Herkel, Jamie Herkel, Noreen Herkel, Kristin Herkel, David and Sonia Hula VanVechten Erin and Kelly and Brian VanVechten, a brother Joseph Herkel of Reedley CA, four sisters Mary Helmer of East Herkimer, Caroline McMahon of Herkimer, Betty and her husband Joseph Keddell of Oneonta, Anne and her husband John Dietz of New Jersey; several nieces and nephews, and Ellen Hoage, a special friend and resident of the Nursing Home who was an inspiration to Henry. Beside his wife, Nathaleen, he was preceded in death by a son, Colin (Ted) Herkel on June 29, 1992, a brother Charles Herkel, and a grandson Joseph Shawn Herkel The family would like to thank Dr. Raj and Dr. Kohan for their many years of outstanding care and to Deanna and Claudia of Mohawk Valley Nursing Home for the love and compassion shown to their father. Funeral service will be private and at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours, Donations in memory of Henry may be made to the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department or MOVAC. Funeral arrangements are with Fenner Funeral Home Inc., Herkimer, NY