ASHTABULA —
Superintendent Herman F. “Buck” Fleming, age 81, left his earthly home for his heavenly reward on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at the Cleveland Clinic.
Born on Feb. 2, 1931, he was one of seven sons born to Louis and Mable (Love) Fleming of Ashtabula. He had remained a lifelong area resident; returning to Ashtabula after serving in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. On June 1, 1989, he married Mollie Rattliff and together they would have celebrated twenty-three years of marriage.
A man with a wonderful work ethic, he was employed by Peoples Savings and Loan and First Merit Bank as a courier for thirty years, prior to his retirement.
He was a founding member and President of Buckeye Wranglers horse association. In his earlier years, Buck enjoyed participating in rodeos. After a few hard landings and horses falling him on him, he felt fishing was more to his liking. More importantly, his time spent with his beloved grandchildren, Lakeisha, Javaughn, Daria and Zaria, were special times in his life.
In 1958 Herman was saved and dedicated his life to his personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Church of God in Christ was founded in Ashtabula (in a former dry cleaning establishment on West 32nd street) which was the early beginnings of Hiawatha Church now located on Hiawatha Avenue. He began as Sunday School Teacher and Trustee, and was selected to serve on the Board of Deacons of which he was Chairperson for twelve years. He was also Junior Church Pastor at Hiawatha Church COGIC. During his career, he also served as Assistant Pastor to the East 116th Street COGIC.
The Rev. Fleming and his late wife, Kneeley Mae, with love, blessings and prayers from Hiawatha Church, founded the Miracle Temple, COGIC. Through the years the church has grown and flourished under his leadership. He was appointed to serve as Sunday School Superintendent of the Buckeye District for the Northwest Jurisdiction. He was later asked to serve at the request of the late Bishop Robert L. Chapman as the Executive Secretary of the Northwest Jurisdiction, Chairman of the Jurisdictional Steering Committee, Program Committee Chairman of the Sunday School Department, Chairman of the Buckeye District, Superintendent of the Robert L. Chapman Memorial District, Jurisdictional Chairman for the Pastors and Elders Council, Member of the Executive Board and First Administrative Assistant to the Bishop.
Herman was active in his community working with Community Action and the YMCA. He was honored to serve as Chaplain of the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department.
A man of great faith and love for his fellow man, he considered everyone he met his friend. There were many people that had never been shown love and acceptance until they met him. During his journey of faith he inspired many people to forgive and begin a new chapter in their lives. Because of his personal relationship with Christ, his Lord and Savior, he was a mentor for many in the Ashtabula community. His legacy of love and devotion to his Lord, his family, and to his fellow man will be remembered for many years to come.
He is survived by his wife, Mollie of Ashtabula; his children, Frances and Derrick Wansley of Columbus and Maetine and Pastor Thomas Lastry of Cleveland; his stepchildren, whom he loved as his own, Jordan Rattliff of Beachwood, Anthony Rattliff and Anita Rattliff, Stacey Rattliff and Stephen Rattliff, all of Cleveland; many loving grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-grandchild; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of thirty-seven years, Kneeley Mae (Ford) Fleming in 1988; daughter, Phyllis Fleming in 1989; son, Tony Fleming in 1990; brothers, Earl, Robert, James, Sam, Leroy and Joseph Fleming; and his parents, Louis and Mable.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd. Friday Services will begin 6:30 p.m. at Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ, 923 East 16th St., Ashtabula, Ohio, with the Rev. Mitchell Jones, Associate Minister, officiating. Saturday Services will begin 10 a.m. at Peoples Missionary Baptist Church, 3837 West Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio, with Bishop Clifford L. Kimbrough Jr., Prelate of Ohio Northwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, officiating.
A Calling Hour will be observed on Saturday, June 2nd, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. at Peoples Missionary Baptist Church, 3837 West Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Dewey-Howlett Post #103, Ashtabula. Interment will be at Edgewood Cemetery.
If desired, contributions in his name may be made to the Children’s Fund of Miracle Temple, GOCIC, 923 East 16th St., Ashtabula, Ohio, 44004.
DUCRO FUNERAL SERVICES AND CREMATORY, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004, is in charge of arrangements. Obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com and starbeacon.com.
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