The Honorable Carle F. Germelman, Jr.

Date of Death: December 23, 2020

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service

All services are private

memorial

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Clarke County Humane Foundation
225 Ramsburg Lane
Berryville, Virginia 22611

Blue Ridge Hospice
333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405
Winchester, Virginia 22601

Grace Episcopal Church
110 N. Church Street
Berryville, Virginia 22611

The Honorable Carle F. Germelman Jr., 84, of Berryville, died peacefully on Dec. 23, 2020, at Winchester Medical Center.

“Bing” as he was known, was born Jan. 17th, 1936 in Richmond VA, the son of the late Carle F. Sr., & Helen (Poates) Germelman. He graduated from Handley H.S., class of 1954 followed by the University of Richmond & T.C. Williams School of Law. During college he met the love of his life, Donna Pethick on a blind date, fell in love & they were married for 61 years!

He served in the US Army. Captain Germelman was a JAG lawyer assigned to the Armor Training Center Ft. Knox, KY until 1963 when he left the Army for a position with Harrison & Johnston Law firm in Winchester. In 1968 he was appointed as the first Judge of the newly formed 7th Regional Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court from Clarke County to Rockingham County until retiring in 2003. He is the longest sitting JDR Court Judge in Virginia’s history touching many lives in his efforts to seek fairness & justice for the community’s children. He “did not suffer fools lightly” in court but was also known for his wry sense of humor, his love of the law and respect for fellow service veterans who occasionally found themselves in his courtroom.

He pursued a huge variety of passions including his favorites: performing magic shows as “Mr. Magic”, fly fishing rivers & streams from Virginia to Montana, going to sprint car & other dirt track races, riding his motorcycle, attending traveling circuses, and mentoring generations of Boy Scouts.

He served as Asst. Scout Master of Troop 11 (Millwood, VA) & was on the vestry of Grace Episcopal Church in Berryville & Christ Episcopal in Millwood Va. He was a past member of the Izaak Walton League and the local Military Officers’ Association of America. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (Ring 94-King Magic Ring, Hagerstown, MD) and the American Legion (Post 41, Berryville). A “Broken Wand” ceremony and military honors will be part of an upcoming memorial gathering.

He is survived by his wife Donna, son Bill, grandchildren Alexandra Bandy (Adam), Matthew & Andrew, six great-grandchildren & his loving canine companions Luke & Cooper. He was preceded in death by his parents & sister, Virginia Holland.

Owing to Covid-19, the service will be private. The family is planning a celebration of life to be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carle’s memory to: Clarke County Humane Foundation, 225 Ramsburg Lane, Berryville, VA 22611, or Blue Ridge Hospice 333 W. Cork St., #405, Winchester, VA 22601 or Grace Episcopal Church, 110 N. Church St., Berryville, VA 22611.

“The magic of his performance is over. The magic & mystery that he shared will remain in our memory as commemoration of his life”, from the IBM’s Broken Wand Ceremony.

Andrea

Stephanie Godfrey

Linda Adams Martin

Toni Welkes

Tiffany Leigh Bowman

Katherine Johnson Bouldin

Ned Burks

Sherry van den Arend

Tony Morelli

John M Woleben

Louie and Noah Houghton-Germelman

All services are private

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Clarke County Humane Foundation
225 Ramsburg Lane
Berryville, Virginia 22611

Blue Ridge Hospice
333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405
Winchester, Virginia 22601

Grace Episcopal Church
110 N. Church Street
Berryville, Virginia 22611

The Honorable Carle F. Germelman Jr., 84, of Berryville, died peacefully on Dec. 23, 2020, at Winchester Medical Center. “Bing” as he was known, was born Jan. 17th, 1936 in Richmond VA, the son of the late Carle F. Sr., & Helen (Poates) Germelman. He graduated from Handley H.S., class of 1954 followed by theContinue Reading

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I now am resident in Canada but lived in Virginia for many years and became great friends with Bing and Donna. When their son Billy was born, I was honored to be asked to be his godmother, so I send them my deepest and heartfelt sympathy. Bing was a man of great understanding of human nature through his engagement with so many people through memberships in organizations as well as his position of judge. He did so care for the welfare of young people and wanted each one to find a path to a better life. In his life, he always held to high standards and values.

To Donna, Billy, Alex, Matthew, Andrew and families... our heartfelt condolences. From the moment we moved next door you welcomed us in and gave us so many happy memories. "Mr Bing" was unfailingly kind, thoughtful, insightful, witty, erudite and magical. Uniquely himself, he graced our backyard soirees with humor and great conversation. The children revered him. I speak for all of us when I say Thank You Bing for all that you brought to our lives. "Water from the river Ganges" my friend. We miss you and we will remember you always. With love, Cathy Gleason and family

I have many great memories of Judge Germelman. He was direct and to the point, but ALWAYS kind. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed by many.

My Sincere Condolences Donna I just now found out My love and prayers to You and Billy Tiny Rallis

So sorry to hear about Carl’s passing, he had many great gifts that he shared with his family and his community. Sorry we were not able to have one more large Germelman reunion. My dad Jimmy is in a nursing facility and is not cognizant of his surroundings, but if he understood he would take it to heart. The Germelman’s of Hampton Roads send their sympathy and love to Donna and Billy

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

He cared and protected the children ! Rest In Peace !

In memory of The Honorable Carle F. Germelman, Jr., Toni Welkes lit a candle

You are missed, you were my friend and confidant. You guided me with your wisdom and settled me with your quiet ways. I so enjoyed your company. I learned a lot. You will always be missed. Rest with Angels, Friend.

To Donna and your Family ~~ My sincere sympathy on the Judge's passing. Yes, he was tough, but rightly so. His strict fairness changed the futures of many young people, and his legacy lives on through them and their descendents. As a Shenandoah College business intern in the early 70's, I had the privilege of learning many important life lessons at the JDR Court, working for the Judge and his staff. Lessons I practice to this day of understanding, kindness and empathy, and that there is good in everyone. With hope that happy memories give you comfort. Danna Doyle ?

May fond memories and loving hearts give you comfort. With deepest sympathy. Katherine

The Judge was a wonderful individual. I got to know him when he would come into the Store I worked at on Piccadilly Street(Coaches Supply). We would get into some interesting conversations and he had the unique ability to somehow get you to open up to him and he shared much in return. He was a good man.. may God Bless his family in his loss.

I know I speak for many at Grace Episcopal Church and in Clarke County when I say how much Bing will be missed. He had a wonderfully wicked sense of humor and, as many others have noted, he most definitely did not tolerate fools gladly! These two qualities, I think, endeared me to him the most. I got to know him well during Grace's weekly Bible Study sessions, where he always offered sharp insights into the topic at hand or wry asides about the relevance of ancient Biblical wisdom to the problems of today. Godspeed, Bing. You lived a good and worthy life.

My prayers are with the family and friends of such a wonderful man. I had the honor of working for Judge Germelman as his receptionist in the early 90's. On the days he had a spare moment and I was in his office, he would sit me down and discuss how my ancestors came over and how my legal last name lost letters or may have been replaced with others. Luebehusen was hard enough to spell even if letters were dropped! He would educate me on the regions my ancestors came from and settled in. It was always a pleasure learning from him. Also before working with him, when I was able to get my Drivers Permit you had better listen because he made sure you heard"You do not want to end up in my courtroom"..I will never forget that look! He was a kind and loving man that will be missed by this community.

A good judge and a great friend. He will be missed. David and Patsy Simpson

To Donna, Bill, and the Judge Germelman Family: His Honor, Bing, and I were lifelong friends. We delivered the Washington Post and attended Handley together. He was a great man, humble, sincere, and a jurist with great integrity and character. It was my honor to vote for him whenever the judicial reappointments came to the floor of the Senate. Of course, he was always a slam dunk! So sorry for his loss, and love to the Germelman family. Your friend always, Former Senator Russ Potts

In memory of The Honorable Carle F. Germelman, Jr., Sherry van den Arend lit a candle

You can’t weep for someone who has given more in life than they have taken out. I always enjoyed the time I spent being around Bing. He was a force for the young people whose lives he touched. Rest In Peace. You will be missed.

Donna and family, wishing you comfort and peace during this difficult time. Continue to Rest In Peace, Judge.

R.I.P. Judge , Thanks for the breaks you gave me

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

A wonderful man and a life well lived. He will be missed.

Fond memories of my oldest cousin and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Brother at Mother Alpha Chapter at the University of Richmond. Also, High School memories of the Apple Blossom Festival and your Magic Tricks at 602 Ridge Top Road will alway be happily remembered. Love to Donna, Billy, and family. John M. Woleben, Jr.

It is with much sadness that I read of Carle's passing. He seemed dedicated to the community. I wished I could have known him better. So much family history.

Bing will be missed and fondly remembered by both of us for his generosity, companionship and family devotion. Our sincerest condolences to Donna and Billy.

Sending my prayers and condolences to Judge Germelman's family and friends. Rest in peace your honor it was a pleasure to have appeared before you. You shall be missed sir.

In memory of The Honorable Carle F. Germelman, Jr., Justin Eller lit a candle

In memory of The Honorable Carle F. Germelman, Jr., Angela Steele lit a candle

"Der Bingle" as I affectionately knew him ,through the many years at Grace Episcopal Church and also through his work as a judge.He was a champion for what is child advocacy. He had a wry wit and could make one laugh. He had many interest and remember him talking zealously of his love of fly fishing. " Alife well-lived ius a gift" and I known that the many lives he touched will cherish his memory. May his joy be the joy his family knows.

Please accept my families sincere condolences, there are no good words for your loss. Your family is on my mind and in my prayers.

In memory of The Honorable Carle F. Germelman, Jr., Denise Medina lit a candle

My heart breaks for you guys. I love you all very much!

A wonderful man ,love to the family!

So sorry for the huge loss to the family. A great man and its hard to watch your classmates parents passing. It hits close to home. Rest in Peace Mr. Germelman! Thank you for your service.

My prayers go out to the family of a great man. My memories go back to Cub Scout meetings and camping at Rock Enon. Especially the time he had to pick me up out of the creek that I fell in during a hike. He always remembered that into my adulthood. Spending the night at Billy’s As a kid and having the fun of his wit and humor. Having him embarrass me as he presented my driver’s license to me in court. His magic would also amaze us as youth. My prayers go out to Donna, Billy, and their family. They were blessed to have spent a lifetime with Judge Germelman.

The family is in my thoughts and prayers

My deepest condolences Donna, Billy and family. Mr. Bing was a very special person and he will be sorely missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. May God grant each of you solace and peace.

Donna and Billy. Please know that my thoughts and my heart are with the family at this time.

The Racer family sends our condolences to the Germelman Family. We wish we could join you for a memorial. I, personally, have very fond memories of Judge Germelman. Christian Racer

Condolences to you all during this time. Judge G will be missed by many! Hugs and love! Amy L. Heflin

Dad, The respect and love for you and that which you always have shown me will forever be foremost in my thoughts and mind. You set the "man" and "father" bars very high, and I will always strive to be better than I think I can on behalf of my children and grandchildren while I am able. Your final words and thoughts to me over the last month were always of "how is mom" , "Is mom ok" and of course the dogs. You were always thinking of others & their wellbeing. You were a class act, a gentleman and a great mentor. I love you and will attempt to honor you in all my thoughts and actions. I never wanted the "3 feathers" befitting a clan chief, preferring to always be the best "aid de camp", but will now wear them proudly in your name and do the best that I am able. Rest easy sir, Mom will be ok so long as I can breath and take action and should something happen to me I can assure you your grandsons will come to her aid as needed. Love, Billy

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.