Pamela Kay Herchenroder

Born February 24, 1950 in Pekin to William and Mildred (Bardwell) Clark, she married Stanley Herchenroder on April 28, 1973 in Pekin. He survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Carrie (Clayton) Cummings of Pekin and Carla (Chris) Schaefer of Pekin and five grandchildren, Tate Schaefer, Cooper Cummings, Claire Schaefer, Cate Cummings and Grace Schaefer.

She was preceded in death by one son, Clark James Herchenroder and one brother William Clark.

Pam was a 1968 graduate of Pekin Community High School and went on to attend Western Illinois University. She worked for Pekin Public School District 108 as a teacher’s aide for 22 years. Beyond her work, Pam gave generously of her time to teaching Sunday School at the Pekin First United Methodist Church, coaching her daughters’ summer softball teams and volunteering for the PTA. After retiring, Pam found her greatest happiness in caring for her grandchildren, who were truly the light of her life.

Pam was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her greatest love was her family. She shared 52 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Stan “Stubby”, and together they built a lifetime of memories through their travels and shared love for cheering on the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and the Fighting Illini. She was the true definition of a mom and looked forward to her daughters’ daily phone calls.

Pam rarely missed an event her grandchildren were involved in and was always their biggest fan. There wasn’t a field, court, or gym that Pam wasn’t at cheering on her grandkids and teammates.

She enjoyed reading, golfing, listening to music and dancing, and her adventures to the boat to play the slots. She had a zest for life and a gift for making others feel welcome, lighting up every room with her beautiful smile.

Her funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Judy Doyle will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637 or Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com