Obituary: Tillman Merle “Tim” Hershberger
Tillman Merle “Tim” Hershberger was born on March 9, 1930,
in Newton, the eighth of 12 children to Amy and Elmer Day Hershberger. He died
peacefully on Tuesday (Sept. 18, 2012) at The Arbors Assisted Living Center in
Tulsa, Okla.
He grew up on a dairy farm in the Newton area and was the
president of his 1948 graduating class at Newton High School.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents; nine siblings; and
wife, Phyllis in 1997.
He is survived by his children, Becky and husband, Greg
Pugmire, and Phil and wife, Patty Hershberger, all of Sapulpa. He also leaves
grandchildren, Angie Pugmire, Amber Schnapp and husband, Tony, Justin
Hershberger and wife, Lindsey, and Amy Morgan and husband, Justin; and
great-grandchildren, Graham and Griffin Hershberger, and Logan and Lainey
Schnapp. He also is survived by two sisters, Elva Mae Dyck of Hesston and
Marjorie England of Spokane, Wash.; five sisters-in-law, including Jane
Hershberger of Newton; four brothers-in-law; plus many nieces and nephews. He
also is survived by long-time companion Juanita Johnson.
Tim was active in the Sapulpa First United Methodist Church
for more than 50 years, serving on various boards and councils. He was a member
of the Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1974. One of Tim’s greatest
contributions to the community was his service on the Sapulpa School Board from
1972 to 1977.
Tim was a life-long Kiwanian, serving as president from 1971
to 1972. He received the Leonard Byron Award in 1970 as outstanding Kiwanian of
the Year, was honored as Kiwanis Lay Person of the Year in 2002, and in August
2012 was given a special Kiwanis Lifetime Community Achievement Award in
recognition of his decades of service to the Sapulpa community.
He was involved with Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and
formation of Creek County Rural Water District No. 2. Tim was recognized in
1994 for his volunteer help with the expansion of the current SHOW facility.
Tim was well known in the community for his generosity and
kind heart. He always had a kind word for all he met. His influence was
far-reaching. Tim was loved, and he will be missed by many.
A celebration of his life will be this morning (Sept. 22,
2012) at First United Methodist Church, Sapulpa, Okla. Burial will be in Green
Hills Cemetery. Smith Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to
First United Methodist Church, Sapulpa, Okla.
