Patricia R Herring

Mrs. Patricia Ruth Herring, age 87, went home to live with Jesus on Monday morning, April 5th, 2021. Patricia was born to William and Emma Kirchoff on December 30, 1933 in Stuttgart, Arkansas. She was baptized on January 28, 1934 and confirmed on August 8, 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church where her grandparents were charter members. As a child, she excelled in school and was a graduate of Stuttgart High School. She then went on to graduate with a B.S. degree in Education from Valparaiso University on June 2, 1957. Patricia was an honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota, an International Music Fraternity. Following graduation, Patricia taught at Lincoln School in Elgin, IL. Later, she returned back to Stuttgart and met Louis Benjamin Herring through Lutheran Walther League activities with a neighboring church in Ulm, Arkansas where he taught. The two shared a mutual interest in Christian education and were married on May 25,1963. Patricia was a devoted & loving wife, cancer survivor, who graciously followed where the Lord led her husband to serve as a Lutheran principal and educator. She was actively involved in church activities in Lutheran congregations in Arkansas, Missouri, and Indiana. A majority of her later years were spent at St. Peter Lutheran Church in North Judson, IN. Patricia became proficient in playing both the piano and organ. For years, Patricia enjoyed teaching piano lessons out of her home. She also dedicated her time to play organ or piano for church services at rural Lutheran congregations in northern Indiana, for Vacation Bible School, school chapel services, and for various special occasions as needed. In addition, there were times she would walk up to the Lutheran school to help her husband as a substitute teacher or with other needed tasks. Patricia enjoyed hosting dinner parties and entertaining, was an amazing cook, had a fondness for travel, and even sewed clothing for her children when they were young. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, William and Emma Kirchoff, her brother, Donald Kirchoff, and her husband of 56 years, Louis Herring. She is survived by three daughters: Shirley Cronauer and husband Theo of Avon, IN, Sharon McDonald and husband Michael of Midlothian, TX, Sandra Shimono and husband Dustin of Aldie, VA; one son, Paul Herring of Stuttgart, AR. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Jacob Cronauer (wife Nicole), Matthew McDonald (wife Tane), Jonathan McDonald, Emily Shimono, and Olivia Shimono. A funeral service to celebrate Patricia’s eternal life with Jesus will be held at 12 pm on Monday, April 12, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 810 W. Talmer Ave., North Judson, IN 46366. Visitation for family and friends will precede the service from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church. A graveside committal service will follow at St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery in Denham, IN. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Hospital Cancer Resource Center. They would be honored to have any donations made in the name of Patricia Herring go towards their cancer patients in need at their facility. Please send donations to the attention of Laurie Groves at the address below. Laurie Groves - Administration Lutheran Hospital 7950 W. Jefferson Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804 260-435-7104

Patricia R Herring

December 30, 1933 - April 5, 2021