Leroy 'Herb' Ford

Leroy 'Herb' Ford, the son of John and Lucy (Heinen) Ford, was born on March 11, 1926, in Cherokee, IA. Herb's childhood years were spent near Cherokee, where he attended country school. In 1943, he graduated from Wilson High School in Cherokee at the age of 17. Herb worked for the Illinois Central Railroad for one year before being drafted into the Army in September of 1944. He served with the 9th Infantry and fought in Germany where he received a bronze star. In 1946, Herb was discharged from the Army and went back to work for the railroad where he served as a breakman and conductor. It was there that he met his wife, Jean Aldis. They were united in marriage on June 21, 1948 in Cherokee. Following their marriage, they remained in Cherokee. Jean passed away in 1977. Herb was remarried in August of 1985 to Mildred Schmillen. He enjoyed having a large extended family. Herb retired from the railroad in 1983 and went to work for Greenwood Funeral Home. He helped to serve countless families over the years and was always a comforting presence to those in need. Herb was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus, and worked many years for the Cherokee Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels. He was a calm and patient man that loved to help anyone he could. In his free time, Herb enjoyed engaging anyone in a game of cribbage, tinkering, being on the farm, and traveling. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucy Ford; his first wife, Jean and second wife, Mildred; three brothers: Alvin, Harold, and Donald Ford; and one sister, Mary Anderson. He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Tom (LuAnn) Ford of Sioux Falls, SD, and Lauree Ford of Dallas, TX; five grandchildren, Angie (Brandon) Moors, Ty Gough, Jeromey Melton, and Kathryn and Elizabeth Ford; and one great-grandson, Zane Melton.

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