HERKIMER - John H. Greiner, age 84, of 811 Bellinger Ave. passed away at Valley Health Services on April 5, 2011. He was born in Herkimer on January 13, 1927, the son of Max H. and Margaret OHara Greiner. He graduated from St. Francis deSales School in 1940 and from Herkimer High School in 1944. While in high school, Gramp was an avid speed skater and miler on the track team. His mile record of 4:44.4 remained a school record until 1972. Upon graduation from high school he served his country in World War II and enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marine. He served on oil tanker in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Pacific and Indian Oceans. He married the former Joann Burns on April 25, 1953 at St. Francis deSales Church in Herkimer, a blessed union that lasted until Joanns passing on January 12, 1996. John served in the United States Air Force from 1947 to 1967 attaining the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. While in the Air Force he earned his wings as a crew chief. In addition to numerous military decorations he was particularly proud of be named Outstanding Airman of the Year in 1962 for the Boston Air Defense Sector and the Presidential Unit Citation his outfit received for their work in the 1964 Alaskan Earthquake. He completed his tour of duty at the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, Maryland. Sarge returned to Herkimer in 1967 and worked for Mohawk Data Sciences for 19 years. He later served as captain of the Herkimer County Correctional Facility and lastly as a bailiff for the Herkimer County Court System. John was devoted to the youth of the Village of Herkimer and served for almost three decades on the Recreational Commission. He and his wife Joann were active in the Pop Warner Football program. His garage will be fondly remembered as the unofficial headquarters for Herkimer Pop Warner Football Team for 40 years. John was thrilled to have the playing field named in his honor. For ten years he served on Congressman Donald J. Mitchells Service Academy Selection Board and he also served for ten years on the Herkimer School Board. He was a communicant of St. Francis deSales and will be remembered for the countless hours of service at the Parish Fair and ushering at the 4 oclock mass every Saturday. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the VFW. He is survived by five sons: James and his wife Teresa of Herkimer, Joseph and his wife Rhonda of Houston, Texas, John of Charlotte, North Carolina, Jerald of Lake Forest, California and Joel and his wife Kathy of Long Beach, California. Grandchildren included Mary, Elizabeth, Justin, Kara, John, Allison and Carlin and a brother Robert of Sebastopol, California. The family would like to thank the Staff of Valley Health Services for their many kindnesses and excellent care that John received during his stay with a special thanks to his friends, Frank The Godfather Paratore, Charlie Crooker and Sam Scialdone. Funeral from Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer on Saturday at 10:00 am. A Mass of Christian of Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am in St. Francis deSales Church, Herkimer with the Reverend Mark Cunningham, Pastor officiating. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Friday from 2:00 4:00 and 7:00 9:00 pm. Expression of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to Saint Francis deSales Church or the Valley Health Services, Inc. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.