James “Jim” E. Herring, 92, passed away Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, surrounded by his loved ones. The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion, where a Parish Vigil will begin at 5:00 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus Rosary will begin at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 20, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, conducted by Father David O’Connor. The family will also greet friends from 9:15 a.m. until Mass on Friday at the church. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Jim is survived by his wife, Ethel; his children, J. Stephen (Myra Takata) Herring of Idaho Falls, Idaho and their children, Patrick (Kim), Marie and George Herring, Kathyrn (Robert) Fassbinder of Elgin and their children, Anne Fassbinder-Jenks, Ben Fassbinder, Carol (Brian) Orth, and Mathew Fassbinder, Edward (Karen) Herring of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin and their children, Rachel (Steve) Colletti, Christopher and Lisa Herring, Mark (Sally) Herring of Newton, Wisconsin and their children, Joe (Mary) Herring, Amy (Mike) Bianchi, Marissa (Phil) Reichwaldt, Matthew, Kathryn, John and Anne, Mary (Michael) Walston of Kewaunee, Wisconsin and their children, Amanda (Rich) DeGrave, Cassandra (Ben) Ruoff, Elizabeth (Ryan) Roberts and Darcie Walston, John (Nancy) Herring of Cedar Rapids and their children, Jacob (Ayaka) Herring, Thomas (Beth) Herring, Kaitlin and Audrey, Susan (Mark) Valliere of Cedar Rapids and their children, David (Colleen) Valliere, Renee (Ryan) McGinnis and Michael (Markita) Valliere; son-in-law, David Fassbinder of Monona and children, Eva (Brian) Brummel, Joel (Rachel) Fassbinder, Emily (Jeritt) Mees; and 33 great-grandchildren with more on the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill Herring; sisters, Roseann McElroy and Mary Lou Homer; daughter, Barbara Fassbinder; and grandson, Luke Herring.
Jim was born December 28, 1923, in Creston, the son of Leonard and Marie Herring. He served in the United States Navy from 1944 through 1946 in the Admiralty Islands in the South Pacific. It was there that he first worked with Collins Radio equipment. Upon returning to Iowa, he finished his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University and was hired by Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. He worked there for 38 years, retiring in 1986. On May 1, 1948, he married Ethel McElroy in Creston. Jim and Ethel spent their entire married life in the Cedar Rapids/Marion area. His family was his pride and joy. Jim was a talented piano player, enjoyed classical music and spending time at his family’s Century Farm in Creston.
Memorials may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church Endowment Fund in Jim’s memory.