Don Herdman

Donald “Don” Herdman, 86, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away May 26, 2012 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m., Thursday, May 31 at Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Visitation will precede the service from 12-1:30. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Don was born February 9, 1926 in Kansas City, Kansas to Henry and Clara Herdman. He attended Hazel Grove Elementary and Washington Rural High School before he enlisted in the Navy in 1943 at the age of 17. Don was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas where he married Helen Glover in 1944. He later was stationed in Hawaii until the end of WWII, working as a parachute-rigger. After the war, Don and his family returned to Kansas City and he worked as a teamster/route driver for Interstate Bakery. He also worked diligently and earned his GED. Later he worked as a carpenter and joined the Carpenter’s Union 168. Don was a former Commander of VFW 5851, where he was a member for over 50 years. He enjoyed hunting, bowling and occasionally gambling. In his later years, Don sold real estate and retired in the early 1990s. Don was especially proud of the fact that his custom-made Navy dress blues were able to be tailored for his son and sons-in-law to wear when they also served in the Navy

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Clara, his first wife of fifty years, Helen Herdman, sister Irene Matthews, brother-in-law Ernie Matthews, brother-in-law Nick Eisman, son-in-law David Bosler and niece Lisa Eisman-Smith.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Norma Herdman of the home; sister, Evelyn Eisman of Kansas City, Kansas; sister-in-law, Betty Jo Knoche of Las Vegas, Nevada; children, Deanna Sorg and husband Art of Overland Park, Kansas; Jeannie Gann and husband Kenley of Gravois Mills, Missouri; Bob Herdman and wife Linda of Lenexa, Kansas; Gary Herdman and wife Sheila of Trimble, Missouri; grandchildren, David Shawn Bosler and wife Nada of Brooklyn, New York; Amy (Shelly) Holdman of Overland Park, Kansas; Scott Sorg of Belton, Missouri; Jeffrey Alan Gann of Scotia, Pennsylvania; Dawn Ellen Edwards of Shawnee, Kansas; Matt Smith and wife Moria of Virginia; Kristen Estes and husband Ron of Kansas City, Missouri; Kacie Weese and husband Derek of Kansas City, Missouri; great grandchildren, Tavin Sorg, Ethan Sorg, Lexi Holdman, Lani Holdman, Jagan Bosler, Brandon Gann, Alyse Gann, Carter Gann, Kenley Edwards, Jonah Edwards, Tyler Estes, Cayden Estes, Landon Weese and one on the way. Don also leaves step-children, Thomas Brune and wife Denise of Clearwater, Florida; Lori Kay Brune of Kansas City, Missouri; step-grandchildren, Kenneth Brune, Lisa Brune and Tayler Hassel and husband Dallas as well as step-great-grandchildren Ken Brune, Kristen Brune and Josh Brune. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved him very much.