Herschel Edmond Woolman

Herschel Edmond Woolman, 72, a-long-time resident of the Irvington neighborhood, died December 23, 2015, at his home in Indianapolis, Ind.

Herschel enlightened siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews with family history and tales. He delighted loved ones with deliveries of resonating books. He brought family together with piano playing and singing.

His parents, Harold S. and Olga Phillips Woolman of Indianapolis, named their first child after their brothers: Hershel A. Woolman and Edmond Phillips.

A 1964 graduate of Franklin Central High School, Herschel graduated from Wabash College in 1969. A speech and psychology major, at Wabash Herschel was a member of Alpha Phi Omega and Pi Delta Epsilon and wrote for the school newspaper, The Bachelor.

For more than 30 years, Herschel worked for the United States Postal Service in Indianapolis. His assignments included the Mail Processing Annex at W. South Street. He retired in 2004. With the USPS he received numerous certificates of appreciation, for “going far beyond the expected daily requirements.” He also was honored for his reliability, accumulating (not using) more than 1,000 sick days.

Herschel was active in Mensa.

Herschel loved music. At holidays, he played piano while the family gathered around to sing. (He had a beautiful resonant voice.) For years he enjoyed watching performances at the American Cabaret Theatre with mother Olga Woolman and his friends, Nelda and April Armstrong. He also was a loyal fan of April’s singing, making sure to attend all her musical performances.

A lover of reading, Herschel owned thousands of books. He lived across from the Irvington Branch library and visited most days. He was a fixture there for decades.

He always remembered family birthdays with a thought-filled book. For birthdays of siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins, he personally chose books that resonated … and would help them in their lives.

Herschel sent his siblings links to articles that would interest them. That’s a habit passed down from his mother, who frequently mailed newspaper clippings to her children.
Herschel was interested in genealogy. Herschel updated relatives on historic family dates on Facebook. He aided his sister with details with her genealogy work.

The Quaker and abolitionist, John Woolman, was an ancestor from the colonial era. Herschel was proud that his maternal grandparents, Anna Pisula and Owen (Filipowicz) Phillips, immigrated from Poland and the Russian Empire.

On the 100th anniversary of grandfather Owen’s arrival to the U.S., on March 10, 2007, Herschel joined his cousin Douglas Phillips at Ellis Island, visiting the Wall of Honor, which bears Owen’s and Anna’s names.

Doug interviewed Herschel there about Owen. Excerpts of Herschel’s interview are included in the short documentary written, produced and directed by Doug, “Behind the Woods and Across the Sea.” The film, about Owen’s immigration to the U.S., was honored as an official selection for the 2017 Gallup Film Festival. The film is dedicated to the memory of Herschel Edmond Woolman.

Herschel was dearly loved. He is survived by brother Philip R. Woolman, of Kenosha, Wis., sister Donna Shelby Kercher of Spanaway, Wash., and Ann M. Woolman of Federal Way, Wash. He was preceded in death by his mother Olga Woolman (1921-2008), father, Harold S. Woolman (1913 – 1984); a brother, David L. Woolman (1946- 1951), and an infant sister (1949). He is missed by siblings, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and colleagues.

A Celebration of Life service will be held, Sat., Oct. 7, 2017, at 1 p.m., at the Acton United Methodist Church, 5650 Senour Rd, Indianapolis, Ind., 46239. He will be buried at Washington Park East Cemetery.