DANVILLE — A funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, April 13, at Holy Family Church in Danville for Deacon Herman J. Bott, 83, a member of the second class of permanent deacons ordained for the Diocese of Peoria.

Deacon Bott, who served Holy Family Parish from his ordination in 1979 until being granted senior status last year, died on Monday, April 6, 2009, at Hawthorne Inn in Danville.

Father Dennis O’Riley was celebrant of the funeral Mass and homilist. Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery with military rites by American Legion 210.

Born Jan. 22, 1926, in Danville, the only child to Herman John and Mary Nease Bott Sr., he attended St. Joseph Grade School and graduated from Danville High School in 1944.

Deacon Bott then enlisted with the U.S. Army, serving during World War II in the European Theater and Germany, including the Battle of the Bulge. He received two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

He married Patricia Jean “Patsy” Russell on May 27, 1946, at St. Joseph’s Church in Danville, and was employed for 34 years at Midwest Body and Manufacturing in Paris. Mrs. Bott died in 2007.

Deacon Bott was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop Edward W. O’Rourke on Nov. 18, 1979. At Holy Family, he was active “in just about every aspect of the parish,” according to Father Ted Pracz, pastor.

Deacon Bott served as pastoral associate from 1986 to 2008. He was a regular homilist and assisted with catechesis, RCIA, preparing children for first Commuion, marriage cases and more. “He was quite zealous in his work,” said Father Pracz.

He was a Fourth Degree member and former chaplain of the Danville Knights of Columbus.

Deacon Bott is survived by two sons: William Bott and Joseph Bott; a daughter, Mary McBride; six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Memorials may be made to Holy Family Grade School Endowment.