Herman Stricklen (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Herman Lee Stricklen, son of Lewis Burdette and M. Ruth Griffin Stricklen, was born February 4, 1936, in Shamrock, Oklahoma. He departed this life Sunday, December 21, 2014, in Mercy Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of seventy-eight years, ten months, and seventeen days.
On October 2, 1988, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Fitzmaurice, and they shared the last twenty-six years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Lew and Deane Stricklen.
Herman is survived by his loving wife, Betty, of the home; a son, Michael Harlan, and his wife, Geri, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two granddaughters, Niki Mullens, and her husband, Cortney, and Makenzie Kenfield; two great-granddaughters, Josie and Briley Mullens; a sister, Marilyn Stricklen, of St. Paul, Minnesota; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was raised in Oklahoma and Southern Illinois, and graduated from North Clay Community High School in Louisville, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois and Oklahoma University and then later earned his Master’s Degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He joined the United States Army in 1959, and served until October of 1960. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force where he worked as an engineer. While serving in England and Germany, he was part of a team that inspected air bases across Europe. During the Vietnam War, Herman was the overseer of air strip construction wherever they were needed, including the front lines. He also served at the Pentagon for a few years and at various other places stateside during his distinguished twenty year military career. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars among his other awards and medals. After retiring from the Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1981, he moved to Lebanon, Missouri, where his family owned and operated Fort Niangua Resort and Campground and he helped in the operation of the campground. He later worked in real estate serving on the Lebanon Board of Realtors for a number of years. Herman was the creator of the multi listing computer program that is used by realtors today in the Laclede and Dallas County areas.
Herman was an active member of St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church in Lebanon, and was involved in the Cursillo Movement, an apostolic organization within the Roman Catholic Church. He had served on the Parish Council, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he had served as Grand Knight for three years, and was their financial secretary at one time.
He had a love for animals, especially horses, cats, and dogs. He was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals for various events, including the October Fest and Mardi Gras celebration at the church. His faith and his family were at the center of his life and he always put the needs of others before his own.
Herman was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that he will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, a courageous Air Force officer, a dedicated businessman, and a kind and giving Christian gentleman.
Memorial donations may be made to Crosslines Ministries or Knights of Columbus, and left at the funeral home.
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