DEFOREST – Vernon Bernard Herring, age 90, passed away on July 28, 2020 with his family by his side at the UW American Center hospital in Madison. He was born on September 2, 1929 in Warba, MN, one of eleven children, to parents Roy Lee and Margaret Lillian (Vadnais) Herring.

Vernon married Mildred Arlene Hamre on January 22, 1955. They were blessed with 4 children and 65 years of marriage. Vernon served his country for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant February 1971. During his Air Force career, the family had opportunities to live in Kansas, Florida and Germany. While in Germany, they took family vacations to Switzerland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Vern worked for many years following his military retirement for Princeton Home Builders and in his spare time, built their homestead two story ranch home in 1974, 2 duplexes in DeForest, airplane hangar and finished his daughters’ home in 1994. Hobbies included family camping trips, fishing, deer hunting, loved telling stories growing up with his siblings, master carpenter, building everything from go carts, 4 foot remote control model ships, train sets and most of all cherished every moment with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Vern was a pilot, a flight instructor at 4 Lakes Aviation and a member/Treasurer of Mathaire Field in Columbus. He owned a 4 seat Cessna aircraft for over 40 years, loved taking his grandchildren for rides, many years to the Oshkosh fly in. Vern and Millie would fly to visit his siblings in CA, MN, FL, KY and vacationed in Alaska. He loved his weekly breakfast flying with fellow Mathaire buddies and so looked forward to every Tuesday. He flew his plane until he was 88 years old – 2 years ago.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Mildred Herring; children, Yvonne (Tip) Lovicott and Steven Herring; grandchildren, Marc (Brittany) Lovicott, Brad Lovicott, Rory (Robin) Herring, Heidi (Chad) Anderson and Tyler Herring; great-grandchildren, Paige, Reese and Tristan Anderson, Avery, Bryar and Brady Herring; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, other loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his two sons, Michael and Anthony “Tony” Herring; his parents and all 10 of his siblings.

A special thank you to the staff at UW Hospital and Oak Park Rehabilitation Center for their loving care, compassion and guidance over the past 3 weeks.

Due to current restrictions, a Celebration of Life and Military gravesite services will be held at a later date.

We are heartbroken you had to leave us, however, we are comforted knowing the glorious reunion you had with your sons Mike and Tony…..you live in our hearts forever.

Vernon Herring

September 02, 1929 - July 28, 2020

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