In loving memory of our dad, William Charles "Chuck" Herndon, 97, who peacefully passed on November 25, 2025, at Tabitha the Gardens in Crete, Nebraska.

He was born to William Elliot Herndon and Constante Helen (McCune) Herndon on September 22, 1928, at home on their farm 5.5 miles north of Western, Nebraska. Number eight of eleven children, Chuck was the oldest of three boys.

His first two years of school were spent at Spunky Hollow School District 37. His education continued through the eighth grade in Hebron, ninth and tenth grade in Alexandria and finishing and graduating in 1947 from Hebron High School.

Chuck met Doris Pittam, his future wife, at the Methodist church in Hebron in the summer of 1948. He showed his ornery and mischievous side, while aided by his brothers, with pranks at the one room country schoolhouse that she was teaching at.

In 1950, Chuck joined the army; after basic training and before shipping out to Korea, he and Doris married on February 8, 1951. He served there and in Germany before being discharged in 1953. After the military, he went to the Nebraska State Trade School in Milford, now known as Southeast Community College. There he studied diesel technology. He went on to primarily work for John Deere for 35 years.

Recently, he was awarded Saline County Veteran of the Month in July 2025. The Crete News interviewed him for his story of his military service.

Chuck was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Crete. His faith showed through his hard work ethic, his generosity, and his treating everyone the same, with respect. He strongly believed in diversity, equity and inclusion. As we, his family, well know he liked to "poke the bear" which led to many lively discussions.

We remember how outgoing and inquisitive he was. His pastimes through the years included telling jokes, working on puzzles, playing cards, motorcycling or bicycling, traveling, researching family history, joining family reunions, most any electrical or mechanical tinkering, and making ice cream. If he had not been a mechanic, he would have preferred to be a farmer due to his love of animals and nature.

Chuck is survived by his son, Ron and (Pat) Herndon of Colorado Springs, CO; his daughter-in-law, Rieko Oshiro Herndon of Crete, NE; his daughter, Barb and (Hani) Shafai of Rapid City, SD; his grandson, Scott and (Maria) Herndon, his grandson Brett and (Delilah) Herndon, and  his granddaughter, Carrie Herndon, of Colorado Springs, CO; his step granddaughter, Rika and (Tsuyosi) Miyazato, and his step grandson, Ryuji and (Natsko) Oshiro, of Japan; his granddaughter, Yasmeen Shafai, and his grandson, Sharaf Shafai of Rapid City, SD; his three great grandsons; his two great granddaughters; his five steps great granddaughters; his two step great grandsons; his brother, Ruben "R.D." and (Sue) Herndon of Hemet, CA; his brother Robert "Bob" and (Nancy) Herndon of Ft Wayne, IN; and many nieces and nephews. Chuck is predeceased by his wife, Doris L (Pittam) Herndon in 2006; his second son, Douglas A Herndon in 2024, his sister, Virginia Magner in 2007; his sister, Jane Taylor in 2019; his sister, Alberta Stauber in 2013; his sister, Anna Loyd in 2012; his sister, Ruth Merriam in 1961; his sister, Bea Whitten in 2018; his sister, Esther Burkland in 2007; and his sister, Joan Tippery in 2024.

Services are pending with Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.