Floyd S. Hershberger

Jan. 12, 1927--March 7, 2011

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Floyd Stewart Hershberger, 84, passed away from complications of Alzheimers disease on Monday (March 7, 2011), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

He was born Jan. 12, 1927, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of the late Floyd E. and Christine (Fenton) Hershberger. Floyd grew up in Waterloo where he graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1945.

After being rejected by the U.S. Air Force because of slight color blindness, he entered Monmouth College in Illinois, graduating in 1949 with a degree in music education. He taught for one year in De Pue, Illinois before starting his master's degree at Colorado University in Boulder, Colorado, where he met and married his wife Joyce Miller on Sept. 29, 1951.

In 1954, they moved to McCook where Floyd was the vocal teacher in both the high school and McCook Jr. College. In 1956, he started Hershberger Piano and Organ Company which grew in to a full line music store over the next several years.

As a young man he was very active in his church (Congregational U.C.C.) serving as local moderator, state moderator, and as a member of the Board of Homeland Ministries for six years. He also directed the choir at the Congregational Church for many years. His community activities included: Past President of Rotary Club, school board member for nine years, first chairman of the original Lied Main Street project, concert chairman for the McCook Concert Association, board member of the Arts Council, original founder of the McCook Community Foundation and one of the original investors in the Fox Theater renovation project.

Although music was his passion in life, he enjoyed golfing, sailing, piloting his own plane and playing bridge with his cronies.

Floyd was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Laurie on Dec. 27, 1994; and his parents.

Floyd is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce; son, Brad and wife, Angle of McCook; daughter, Bonnie and husband, Jim Payne of Kearney, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Chelsey and husband, Corey Nichols, Sean Hershberger and wife, Abby, Taylor Hershberger, Jason Payne and Kristin Payne; three step-grandchildren, John Wooley, Alicia Gibson and Courteney and husband, Jeremiah Moseley; one great-grandchild, Jonah Hershberger; one step-great-grandchild, Landen Moseley; and brother, David Hershberger and wife, Cindy and their family.

The family will greet friends at Herrmann Funeral Home on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A private family interment is at Memorial Park Cemetery prior to his memorial services. Memorial services are Saturday, 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church in McCook with the Rev. Phil Ewert and the Rev. Steve Bales officiating.

Memorials may be given in his name and left at the funeral home.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.