Paul Herrick, 81, of Perry passed away Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, in Perry, Iowa.
A memorial service will be held Monday, Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the Van Meter United Methodist Church at 100 Hazel St., Van Meter, IA 50261. Visitation will be Sunday, Feb. 20 from 4-7 p.m., with a Masonic service held at 6:30 p.m. and a brief Celebration of Life following at the Carris Family Funeral Home and Cremation Care in Perry. Burial will be at the Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.carrisfuneralhome.com.
Paul was born April 21, 1940, in Macksburg, Iowa, and the world hasn’t been the same since. He inherited his Mom’s sense of humor and wasn’t shy about sharing it. His “Bad Dad Jokes” were usually considered “groaners.”
He was the fifth of six children in their family and graduated from Dexter High School.
Paul lived in Des Moines, Houston, Texas, Adel and De Soto before moving to Perry.
He spent most of his working years as a maintenance supervisor at ADM Schools, Hawkeye Security Co. and American Mutual Life, and he retired from Kohl’s department store.
Paul was extremely devoted to his family, and he would also go over and above to help out anyone who needed it.
When the grandchildren were old enough, the annual event was to take them to the weekend grandparent/grandchild church camp. He would survive the weekend but would come home and say, “Never again,” but he was always back there again the next year.
He enjoyed trips across central Iowa with his grandchildren to try to find some fish that would bite on their lures. Grandpa’s “surprise pancakes” prepared after a sleep-over were always a treat.
Paul trained as a firefighter and ERT and was on the De Soto Fire and Rescue for 21 years.
He enjoyed woodworking, especially making intricate fretwork designs with his scroll saw.
Paul was a member of the Central Chapter of Polka Club of Iowa, Croatian Center, Friends of the Perry Public Library, Masonic Lodge of Adel, Van Meter United Methodist Church and Hispanics United for Perry (HUP).
Paul passed away from a sudden heart attack Feb. 16. He is survived by his wife and dancing partner of 40 years, Marilyn; daughters, Tina (Tim) Sutherland of Dubai, UAE; Brenda (Randy) Jones of North Mankato, Minnesota, and Patti (Alan) Kelleher of Perry; six grandchildren, Vic (Trinity) Jones, Zach (Carolena) Adams, Meredith (Rudy) Hinojosa, Doug Jones, Hunter Sutherland and Carson Sutherland; and five great-grandchildren; his brother, David Herrick of Grantsville, Utah; along with many nieces; nephews; and cousins.
He embodied the “fruits of the spirit” – kind, loving, loyal, trusting, forgiving. His last words were: “If I die, tell the kids I love them.”
Memorials are suggested for the Van Meter United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 149, Van Meter, IA 50261) or Friends of the Perry Public Library (1101 Willis, Perry, IA 50220).
