Obituary of John Herberger

John Herberger passed away on October 17, 2012. Born on December 30, 1924 in Okemah, Oklahoma to Martin and Elsie Herberger, John was the fifth of nine children. He attended high school in Okemah and then graduated from the Wewoka Radio and Repair School. He then joined the Army Air Corp where he served for three years as a radio-navigator for the elite Air Transport Command serving in the European Theater and volunteered to fly the "Hump". Among other honors he was awarded two battle stars. After the service, he graduated from the Tulsa Business School and O.S.U. majoring in Accounting and Business Administration. Upon graduation, he went to work for Public Service Company of Oklahoma where he remained employed for the next forty years until he retired in 1987 as manager of the Payroll and Benefits Department. In 1955 he married the love of his life Sue Thompson which, in his words was "the best thing I've ever done." Together they raised two children, Lisa Morrisett, husband Mark, and Kathy Hess, husband Mike and enjoyed two wonderful granddaughters, Cori Powell, husband Jesse, and Carly Carver, husband John, and two great-grandchildren, Conner and Harper Powell. John had an active spirit and enjoyed square dancing, doing woodwork in his shop, fishing, hunting, camping with an R.V. and golf. Always the organizer even during retirement, John organized the Circuit Riders, a retiree association of the Public Service Company of Oklahoma where he served as president for two years, and was also an inactive member of the Lions Club, Elks Club and V.F.W. Member of the American Legion. John was also a life-long member of the Methodist Church. He had a generous spirit and was dedicated to donating blood to the Red Cross where he was honored for donating over 20 gallons over the years. John was generous with his family as well; he took great care of his wife, children, grandchildren and was already contributing to his great grand-children's college fund. John was full of humor, love and life until the day he left us. He was truly "salt of the earth", the best husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather a family could ask for as well as a dear and wonderful friend to all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, children and their families, grandchildren and their families and great-grandchildren who will miss their "Ba-paw" very much. John will lie in state at the Ninde Brookside Funeral Home 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday with family receiving friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A funeral will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Jenks United Methodist Church with interment to follow at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens. Ninde Funeral Directors, Brookside Chapel 918-742-5556 ninde.com