Hermona Jean Schlaich (Hire)

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Hermona Jean Magnuson Hire Schlaich, 95, passed away March 12, 2017, in San Jose, California.

Hermona was born in Kimmell, Indiana, on September 4, 1921, and was the only child of Claude Amos Magnuson and Ethel Loyette Zimmerman. She grew up in Ligonier, Indiana, and graduated from high school in 1939. She married Thomas Carlyle Hire on December 23, 1939.

Hermona worked at Master Garments and Essex Wire in Ligonier prior to her and Tom purchasing the Two by Four restaurant. They operated the business for a few years and then they started Hire Electric Co., which they owned and operated for several years until Tom’s death in 1963. Hermona was a member of Eastern Star and BPW in Ligonier.

Hermona married Theodore Schlaich on October 17, 1965 and they moved to Fort Wayne and started and co-owned the Spaghetti Bowl restaurant. They sold the Spaghetti Bowl in 1976 and moved to St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, where they bought and operated the Sunset Way Tavern for two years.

They sold the tavern and moved to Safety Harbor, Florida, to enjoy retirement. Theodore passed away in 1986. Hermona moved to Campbell, California in 1997.

Hermona is survived by her three sons, Dennis C. (Pennie) Hire, Claude (Bill) (Marianne Iwasa) W. Hire and Ronald L. (Cheri) Hire; five grandchildren, Thomas, Kim, Peter, Katharine and Sara; and three great-grandchildren.

Besides owning and operating several businesses, Hermona loved to travel and in her retirement years explored most of the U.S with her good friend Eunice Roher. She also was an avid card player and enjoyed euchre, pinochle and canasta. She also loved bowling and enjoyed the sport well into her 80s.

A memorial service will be held at Yeager Funeral Home - 1589 Lincolnway South Ligonier, IN 46767 on June, 10, 2017 at 11AM.  Pastor Jeffrey Thomas will be officiating.  A time of visitation will be held prior to the memorial service from 10AM - 11AM and than again after the Memorial service  at Yeager Funeral Home.

Hermona will be inurned at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier alongside her first husband Tom Hire.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Hermona's name may be made to the American Legion Post - 243 in Ligonier, IN. 100 South Main STreet Ligonier, IN 46767.