Herschal E. Whitford (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Herschal Eugean Whitford, son of Joseph W. and Vinie Lockwood Whitford, was born December 9, 1931, in Lyon County, Kentucky. He departed this life Monday, March 21, 2011, in his home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-nine years, three months, and twelve days.
In 1953, he was united in marriage to Norma Jean Jackson, and she preceded him in death in 1966.
On January 1, 1967, he married Carolyn St. Gemme Smith, and they shared the last forty-four years.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; a son, Barry L. Whitford; a brother, Willis Whitford; and two sisters, Ruth Goodaker, and Madge Holland.
Herschal is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn, of the home; two sons, Wade Whitford, and his wife, Thresa, of Lebanon, Missouri, and H. Joseph Whitford, and his wife, Michelle, of Los Lunas, New Mexico; a stepson, Timothy Smith, of Lebanon, Missouri; five grandchildren, Barry L. Flowers, and his wife, Tina, of Rogers, Arkansas, Casey L. Whitford, and his wife, Olivia, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Robert W. Whitford, Becky White, and her husband, Matt, all of Lebanon, Missouri, and Erik G. Whitford, of Indianapolis, Indiana; a step-grandson, Nickolas Coghlan, of Los Lunas, New Mexico; two great-grandsons, Dalton Flowers, of Bourbon, Missouri, and Payton Whitford, of Lebanon, Missouri; a brother, W. L. Whitford, and his wife, Maxene, of Providence, Kentucky; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Whitford, of Sullivan, Missouri, and Pat Howard, of Kansas City, Missouri; nine nephews and two nieces; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Kentucky, and then served his country faithfully in the United States Marine Corps from February 13, 1951, until February 12, 1954. For his service during the Korean War, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. After being honorably discharged from the Marines, Herschal worked in the mining industry in various States, and owned and operated an upholstery business in Princeton, Kentucky, Sullivan, Missouri, and Albuquerque, New Mexico for several years. Later, he and Carolyn retired to Lebanon, Missouri.
Herschal had professed his faith in Christ and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Since moving to Lebanon, he had been a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
He was a very patriotic man and was a member of the American Legion. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, discussing politics, and liked traveling across the United States and Canada. He was a very unselfish, generous and loving person, who always thought of others before himself.
Herschal was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them throughout the years.
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