Willie Mae (Janak) Hermes, 92 of Hallettsville, entered into her eternal resting place on October 15, 2021.  She was born on August 7, 1929 to Adolph and Annie (Janca) Janak at their home in Lavaca County.  Willie Mae attended Light Chapel School near Ezzell, where her and her siblings walked or rode a horse to school every day.  After completing the 8th grade, Willie Mae attended Hallettsville High School and graduated in May of 1948.  After graduation, she worked at Weingartens on the Hallettsville square.  There she met the love of her life, Herbert Hermes.

They were married on May 5, 1952 at Saint John the Baptist Church in Koerth, Texas.  Together they brought 6 children into the world.  Mary Heidaker (Dennis) of Yoakum, Daniel Hermes (Anita), William Hermes (Patti), Debra Neskora (Joeseph), Herbert Hermes, all of Hallettsville and Melissa Berckenhoff (Robert Lee) of Moulton.  They purchased land from the Janak Homestead in Ezzell, Texas and built their home in 1962.  Willie Mae and Herbert spent the rest of their days working the farm.

Willie Mae held numerous jobs over the years including working at Sunshine Daycare for almost 6 years with her daughter-in-law Patti.  Here she earned the nickname "Grandma Hermes".  The nickname stuck and wherever she went, her daycare kids would call out to "Grandma Hermes" even though she wasn't really their grandma.  After she left the daycare, Grandma Hermes spent her days spoiling her own grandchildren as well as several others she babysat in her home.

Willie Mae is preceded in death by her husband Herbert, son Daniel, her parents, 2 sisters, Josephine Hilscher & Helen Micek; and 3 brothers, Edward Janak, Victor Janak and Aldolph Janak Jr.  She is survived by the rest of her children and their spouses, daughter-in-law Anita Hermes, as well as 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Memorial Funeral Service: 10:30 am, Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 5 pm, Tuesday at Kubena Funeral Home; and Rosary at 7 pm. Pallbearers: Grandsons, Bryan Heidaker, Jason Neskora, Jeremy Neskora, Jonathan Neskora, Joshua Neskora, Bradley Berckenhoff, Dillon Berckenhoff, and Blake Berckenhoff. Honorary Pallbearers: Granddaughters, Kim Flores, Jaime Surman, Stephanie Machicek, Amber Kopecky, Heather Hermes, Lindsey Brown, and Amanda Wenske. Officiant: Msgr. James Henke. Memorials :  Charity of your choice.