Herbert Carl Scharf
Herbert Carl Scharf was born November 9, 1920 in Brownsville, Wis to Edwin and Erna (Tonn) Scharf. He was baptized in St. Paul Lutheran, Brownsville and confirmed there also. After retirement he became a member at St. Peter in Fond du Lac and finally at Good Shepherd. His family lived on farms between Byron and Brownsville. Elmer, Raymond, and Richard were his three older brothers. He attended St. Paul Lutheran Elementary School in Brownsville, Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac and Dodge County Normal School (later Dodge County Teacher’s College) in Mayville. Herb taught school for one year before enlisting in the Coast Guard in 1942 where he became a pharmacist’s mate. He transferred to the Navy where he got his wings and commission as an Ensign. He was based at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida where he received his flight training. While heading home on leave in 1943 he met Mary Cook in the Chicago Union Station where he offered to carry her suitcase. Turns out she lived in Oakfield and the romance began. They were married in Florida July 21, 1945.
After he was discharged from the service Herb and Mary moved to the Brownsville area where they raised their family on farms located first on Highway 175 and then Highway 49. They retired from full time farming in 1985 after 40 years. Herb served 22 years as a member of the Farm Credit Service Bank. He also served from 1980-1994 on the Fond du Lac County Condemnation Commission. He was congregation president and served on several boards at St. Paul Lutheran in Brownsville. He obtained his commercial pilot’s certificate after he was discharged from the service.
Herb entered eternal life July 11, 2015 at the age of 94 years, eight months and two days. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years Mary Elizabeth in April 2014 and earlier by a granddaughter Heidi Scharf. He is survived by children, Philip (Marje), Erika (John) Moldenhauer, Richmond (Connie), Edwin (Jill) and Mary Lynn (David) Geelan; 23 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and one soon-to-be-born great, great grandchild as well as nieces and nephews. Herb really loved his Lord, Mary, the love of his earthly life, rearing their children, being a farmer, raising crops and managing cows.
Visitation for Herb will be Wednesday, July 15, 2015 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave. in Fond du Lac. Christian victory service will be Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Brett Naumann, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 855 Martin Ave. in Fond du Lac. Visitation will be held at church from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will take place in St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery, Brownsville. Military honors will be presented by the American Legion Bintzler-Waehler Post #347.
Memorials may be directed to WELS World Missions.