Cimarron - David Lee Herkelman, 81, died October 17, 2023 at Shepherd's Center, Cimarron.  He was born on September 8, 1942 at Menlo, Iowa the son of Waldo and Mildred (Dasher) Herkelman.

David married Janet Jean Taylor on August 20, 1961. David worked as a farm hand until 1969 when he had a chance to buy a farm near Dexter, Iowa. In 1978 he took a job with Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, Missouri as the farm operator on the agriculture research farm. He worked for Missouri Western until his retirement in 2003. David moved to Cimarron in 2020. He loved being in Cimarron close to family and meeting a lot of new friends.

David attended the Cimarron Methodist Church and was a member of the Amity United Methodist Church in Amity, Missouri.

David is survived by his children, Kevin Herkelman and wife and Katherine of Chesterfield, Virginia, Kerry Herkelman and wife Lori of Cimarron, Kansas, Kenny Herkelman and wife Celine of Gravois Mills, Missouri, and Kelli Autrey and husband Lloyd of Vinita, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sisters, Marilyn Burkheimer of Ames, Iowa and Carol Van Fosson of Mitchellville, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Waldo and Mildred Herkelman; wife, Janet Herkelman; brother, Dwight Herkelman; and sister, Delores Tate.

A celebration of life service will be held at the Cimarron United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 4:00 PM with Pastor Kevin Reed presiding. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the Cimarron Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.