Christine (Hornung) Herschberger

Christine Herschberger, age 102, died Friday, August 22, 2025.  She was predeceased by Stefan, her husband of 67 years in 2018, and by her granddaughter Elisabeth Herschberger Brown (Marcus) in 2019.

She is survived by son, Peter Herschberger (Mary) and their children, Michael Herschberger and Elena Herschberger; daughter, Mary Christine Shane (David) and their children, Jackson Shane and Chloe Shane; daughter, Eleonore Herschberger, and daughter, Hedy Simmons; great-grandchildren, Flora June, Camille and Elijah Brown. Christine was born in 1923 in Jabuka, Yugoslavia, one of many small German enclaves in the heart of the Balkan territory.  In the aftermath of WWII she and her family were forced to flee this region, which for generations had been their homeland.  They survived despite much hardship.  She and Stefan married in 1951 and emigrated to Akron, Ohio in 1956, green cards in hand.  Previous citizenship: DP.  They remedied this in 1963 by becoming proud American citizens.

Christine and her beloved Stefan raised four children in whom they instilled a love of their German heritage as well as a love of learning in general.  All four children are college graduates, something which both Christine and Stefan worked hard to bring about, and something of which they were very proud.

Christine had a lovely singing voice, and a harmonica which she could play with great skill and little prompting.  She could dance as only one with a boundless capacity for joy could do.

For many years she and her family were members of Akron's (now Brimfield) German American Club. This provided an outlet for Christine's many other talents.  She was, for a number of years, one of the adult youth leaders who worked with the many young members at their singing and dancing practices.  Sewing countless dirndls for the girls and vests for the boys was also part of her long and productive life.

After a move to Tallmadge in 1972, she and Stefan enjoyed their large garden which attracted birds and wildlife, their favorite guests.  Now in her retirement, she would also have time to pursue her other lifelong love of writing poetry and memoirs of her early life.   Due to failing health, Christine and Stefan had to leave their beloved home in Tallmadge and moved to Concord, CA.

Christine knew how to make the best of every situation and never met a stranger.  She entertained her friends at the Concord Royale nursing home with her little harmonica when she could no longer sing.  Her party in heaven will be lively one, no doubt. We miss you, Mammi. You were the best.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, September 4, from 4pm until 7pm at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Av., Tallmadge, OH.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10am Friday, September 5, 2025 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 73 North Av., Tallmadge, OH with Rev. Michael Williamson officiating.

Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery on Waterloo Rd. in Akron.