Syble E. Hertel
1/15/1921 -3 /05/2016
Syble E. Hertel was born at home in Rogersville, Alabama on January 15,1921 to Cora Ellen Gowen (Downs) and Isaac Gowen. Shortly thereafter Syble and her family moved to Lawrenceberg , TN where she graduated from high school in Summertown, TN in 1939.Syble had twelve brothers and sisters: Alvis, Maude, Stella, Archie, Leona, Iona, Lakin, Clifford, Ethel, Galen, Jodebob and Marcus who all preceded her in death. Syble attended business college in Columbia, TN completing her AA degree in 1941. She was hired by IBM and worked at the North Carolina Ship Building Co. in 1943. There Syble met the love of her life, Lt. Edward Jerome Hertel. Ed was serving as a fighter pilot instructor with the Army Air Corp. They met at a USO event and Ed was impressed with Syble’s red hair and her dancing skills—one of the few women who could follow his lead! Ed was transferred in 1945 and stationed in Okinawa. In 1947 Syble moved to join her sister Ethel in Dearborn, Michigan where she worked for the Ford Motor Company. In July 1947, Ed returned from the war and they were married August 2, 1947. Syble’s wedding gown was made from Ed’s silk parachute and she was a beautiful bride. Upon marriage, Syble retired from civilian life and became an excellent military wife moving 16 times until Ed retired to Mercer Island in 1967.Syble and Ed were a team and Ed would say “they” made it through breast cancer when Syble was 72 and heart issues. Ed and Syble celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in 2003 and Ed passed away later that year. Syble loved her life and raised with great love and affection five children: Mary K. Hertel Ballback, Davie Fl., Jerry Hertel,(Eileen),SpokaneWA, Sharon Hertel Frisbie,(Beau),Bothell,WA, Ken Hertel, (Michele), Ellicott City MD, and Cindy Hertel Verschueren, Mercer Island, WA. Syble especially enjoyed her 14 grandchildren which she would spoil to death and send them back to their parents! Five great grandchildren were added to the pack! Syble was famous for her SeaFair parties and hosting many of her children’s friends from Mercer Island and college. Syble’s rule:” you are a guest for five minutes and then make yourself at home!” Even the Mercer Island High School teachers enjoyed her hospitality at year end celebrations. Syble was a member of St. Monica’s parish and former member of the Mercer Island Country Club.
Services will be held 10 AM, Friday March 11th, at Butterworth Funeral Home on Queen Anne and burial with Ed at Tahoma Cemetery.
Syble is survived by her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to hospice or breast cancer research. We will miss our southern wild Irish Rose!
