SPEARVILLE - Cecil Joseph Herron, 89, died December 16, 2014 at Manor of the Plains in Dodge City. He was born to Joseph and Iva (Offerle) Herron on February 4, 1925 at Spearville. He was born in the house, grew up and later married and raised a family there.

Cecil graduated from Spearville High School in 1943. On June 5, 1949, he and Hazel Lou Rethorst were married. To this union, there were six children born, Linda, James, Nancy, Janet, Patti, and Debra. He was a farmer and was employed by the Ford County Soil Conservation Service for 22 years. He was also a referee for Kansas schools for 25 years, officiating over 1500 football and basketball games.

He was a lifetime member of the Spearville Federated Church and also served on the board through the years. Cecil served on the Spearville USD 381 Board of Education for 18 years.

Cecil is survived by his wife, Hazel of Spearville; children Linda Ruda and husband Jim of Hays, James Herron and wife Mary of Upland, California, Mike Schroeder of Osage City, Janet Konrade and husband Chuck of Spearville, Patti Burkhart and husband Tim of Kinsley, and Debra Fox and husband Bill of Ashland; one brother, Glenn Herron of Lexington, Kentucky; and one brother-in-law, Robert Rethorst and wife Lois of Smith Center. He and Hazel also have been blessed with 16 grandchildren: Ryan Ruda and wife Amanda, Kevin Ruda and wife Jodi, Jennifer Brown and husband Scott, Christina Herron, Angela Watts and husband Adam, Adam Schroeder, Jonathan Schroeder, Katie Schroeder, Tyler Konrade, Bret Konrade and wife Gentri, Emily Konrade, Abby Heinz and husband Jamie, Kyle Burkhart and wife Darleen, Benjamin Fox, Giles Fox, and Lezah Fox; 12 great grandchildren: Madison, Nicole, and Malia Ruda; Bryce, Breann and Braxtyn Ruda; Hayden and Jillian Brown; Beckett Konrade; and Wyatt, Hannah, and Avery Heinz. He is also survived by many other relatives and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Nancy Schroeder.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 19, 2014 at the Spearville Federated Church with Mr. Barney Korbelik, C.R.E. presiding. Interment will follow at Silent Land Cemetery in Spearville. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Federated Church, Spearville or Manor of the Plains in care of Swaim Funeral Home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.