Francis Eugene “Gene” Herrold was born July 8, 1928, and was united with his Savior Nov. 26, 2019.
Gene was born to Faye Marie Lee and William Herrold in Des Moines, Iowa.
He was raised in Granger and graduated from Granger High School in 1946. He loved to play baseball and basketball.
Gene was united in marriage with Carol White May 20, 1956.
He worked for the railroad as a young man and worked in Des Moines at a body shop. He then opened Herrold Body Shop in Granger.
Gene also served on the Granger City Council for many years and was very respected in his community.
He was self-employed for many years, running Herrold Auto Body Shop in Granger. This was a common place for his friends and family to visit with Gene.
Once Gene retired, he and Carol would travel to Apache Junction, Ariz., and spend the winter months enjoying the warm weather, playing pool, shuffleboard, golf and cards with the many friends they made over the years.
He was a Past Master in the C-T Granger Masonic Lodge 620.
Gene had many pastimes that he enjoyed. He had a deep love for golf and camping. Gene also enjoyed watching his grandchildren play in their many extracurricular activities, and he loved bowling, fishing, playing cards, dancing and singing with just whatever musical instruments he had at hand.
He was very passionate about making people smile. Gene was never seen without a smile on his face and a joke in his back pocket.
Gene is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol; one sister, Donna (Rolland) Paul of Willow Springs, Mo.; one daughter, Elizabeth (Monte) Grossnickle of Woodward; two sons, Robert Herrold of Granger and Claire Herrold; five grandchildren, Josh (Tiffany) Herrold of Houston, Texas, J. D. (Tara) Herrold of Polk City, Christopher (Shanae) Herrold of Bondurant, Amy (Kyle) Orr of Woodward and Lynn (Dane) Bumsted of Bloomfield; six great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Gene will be held at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Granger Sunday, Dec. 1 from 3-6 p.m. A Celebration of Life will take place at the church Monday, Dec. 2 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Lincoln Cemetery in Granger, where Gene was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Herrold; and sister, Shirley Knoll.
The family would like to welcome everyone back to the church following the graveside service for a luncheon.
