Obert K Herheim

Herheim, Obert (Obie) K. COTTAGE GROVE – Obert (Obie) K. Herheim, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, at Belmont Nursing Home, Madison. He was born on May 9, 1922, in DeForest, the son of John and Josephine Herheim. On Sept. 21, 1951, Obie was united in marriage to the love of his life, Alma Thompson, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison. He was drafted in the Army in December 1942. While there he had mechanics training in Bloomington, Illinois and was sent to the Islands in the Pacific, where he spent most of his time in New Guinea as a truck driver. Obie came home in December 1945, after three years of service. Once he was home, he worked with his father as a cement contractor until his retirement in 1969. You can still see “John Herheim and Son” stamped on some of the sidewalks in Madison and the surrounding areas. Obie then began driving semi for Adler, Inc., delivering Dean’s Milk products in Illinois. In 1976, he received a plaque from the citizens of Capron, Illinois for “Safe and Courteous Driving.” Later Obie became an owner and operator of a semi and leased to Smithway Trucking Company. Obie loved his trucks. His cement mixer (Dreamland Concrete) was his pride and joy. He restored and showed the mixer, and other trucks, at many truck shows and parades. He won numerous awards. Obie was a member of the American Truck History Society and Nut Brothers Trucking. He was survived by his wife of 62 years Alma; three children, Julee (Roy Gherke) Dowling, Timothy (Julie) Herheim and Nancee Herheim; seven grandchildren, Kenneth (Joy) Foust, Jason (Samantha) Herheim, Kara (Eric) Cymbalak, Benjamin Herheim, Lisa (Eric Leggett) Herheim, Joshua (Tiesha Mayr) Herheim and Daniel Herheim; and nine great-grandchildren, Calvin and Carly Leggett, Austin Foust, Michael Herheim, Blake Foust, Landon, Alexander and Shawn Cymbalak and Amelia Herheim. Obie was also survived by a sister, Betty (Robert) Burmeister; and a sister-in-law, Mae McQueen. He also leaves behind a special nephew, Mike (Lora) DiLoreto; and a special friend,Julius Johnson; as well as many other extended family and friends. Obie was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Myrtle DiLoreto; brothers-in-law, Joe DiLoreto, William Thompson and David Sampson; and a son-in-law,Robert Dowling. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of service on Saturday. A special thank you to Dr. Goldrosen and his staff for their great care and also to the staff at Belmont Nursing Home. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.