Richard Herriman's Obituary
Richard E Herriman died on September 17, 2023, in his home. He was born in his family home in Jasper, Michigan, the son of Eldred P. Herriman and Roselind May (Whipple) Herriman. Richard graduated from Sand Creek High School, class of 1957. Following graduation, he served in the National Guard. While in the National Guards he married his sweetheart, Rose Ann Withrow. They celebrated 63 years of married in December. In 1980, they settled in Palmetto, FL. Richard was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Palmetto where he was a Life Deacon. He was a master craftsman. He remodeled many of his homes and built one home on 17th St in Palmetto. He was able to turn trash into art. He took aluminum cans found on the side of the road and create a fire truck, a John Deere tractor, and even a large play set style house with a door and windows for his grandchildren to play in. He also made a 2-story wooden fort in the backyard with no store-bought kits or instructions. He used to make little wooden toys some with mechanical features like a box that when opened a fake mongoose would pop out at you. He made cool hidden word signs that spelled out Jesus to give out to a family and people from church. He was a comedian. Whether it was when he was working at the fair or when he would go to Walmart and walk around for hours, he would go up to random strangers and would tell them one of his classic papa jokes. He did it simply because “they weren’t smiling” or “because they looked like they needed a laugh”. When he heard a child being a brat to his momma he would walk over and introduce himself as Richard Claus “Santa’s brother” coming to check up on some kids who are between the nice and naughty lists and that they need to behave to stay off the naughty list. He loved telling people he was touched by an angel when they touched him. He was a volunteer. He was a greeter at the church for Sunday service and VBS, and a teacher/leader in AWANA, he even was a train conductor for the church’s daycare, Wee World. You could also find him repainting the yellow lines in the church parking lot. Most importantly, he was a friend to ALL and a kind-hearted man. He loved the Lord with all his heart. He served his whole life with a smile on his face, as a veteran, a foster parent to 2 girls, the church, at the fair, a babysitter to his grandchildren, and he never complained. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by a brother, Keith; sister-in-laws, Linda, Angie, Beulah, Vernita; brother-in-laws, Harry, Jack, Pete, Fred, Duane, Harold, Don. Survived in addition to his wife, Rose Ann (Withrow) Herriman, are his sons, Neil (Valerie), Paul (Stephanie), and Lee (Tricia); daughter, Ann Marie (Glenn); ten grandchildren, Tiffany, Jonathan (Kristina), Micah (Anna), Elisabeth, Leighton, Rachel, Keldon (Boston), Cyndell (Kaleb), Chandler and Nicolette; eleven great-grandchildren, Warren, Colton, Charlotte, Jack, Elora, William, Brooks, Hadlee, Caroline, Brixton, and Evelynn; one sister, Janice; one brother, Gale; many nieces and nephews. A service of celebration will be held on October 7, 2023. Visitation will be at 10:00 and the service will be at 11:00 at First Baptist Church of Palmetto. 1020 4th St W, Palmetto, FL. Interment will be at Skyway Memorial Gardens 5200 US Hwy 19 N, Palmetto, FL. Those who wish to remember Richard in a special way may make gifts in his memory to First Baptist Church of Palmetto Missions fund.
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