Herschel Tolley

Herschel Franklin Tolley, 94, of Sublette, IL was reunited with his wife, Minnie, and his Creator, Jesus Christ, in the kingdom of Heaven on Friday, October 3, 2025, in Rockford, IL. Herschel was born on March 8, 1931, to Effie (Miller) Tolley and Roda Tolley in Winona, West Virginia. He was orphaned at the age of 6 and spent time in a state orphanage before being taken in by “Mom” and “Dad” Pegram, who raised him until the age of 17. Herschel is preceded in death by his parents and his foster parents, his sister Catherine, brother Raymond, sister Dorothy, wife Minnie, and son-in-law Chris. Herschel is survived by his son David Tolley, daughter Kathy Van Horn, daughter-in-law Gail Tolley, grandchildren Jason (Corey) Foster, Sarah (Peter) Shanks, Nathan (Vicki) Tolley, Bethany (Kurt) Kraeplin, and Danny Turczyn, 11 great grandchildren Becca, Jacob, Riley, Jaylin, Regan, Sydney, Cooper, Gavin, Jaxton, Eli, and Ethan, and 2 great great grandchildren Bradley and Braxton. He loved and prayed for all of his family daily. Herschel and Minnie were married on November 18, 1951, when Herschel was 19 and Minnie was 16 years old. Herschel joined the United States Air Force, where he trained to be a mechanic. While en route to the Korean War, he was rerouted and held in the Marshall Islands and was present during the radioactive bomb tests at Bikini Beach. While enlisted in the Air Force, he earned the rank of Airman First Class. Herschel returned from his overseas tour and was stationed in Albuquerque, NM, where he met Dean Otterbach, who offered him work on his family farm in Mendota, IL. Herschel and Minnie settled in Mendota in 1955 and quickly became active members of the community. After his work on Otterbach’s farm, Herschel began work for Ennenbach Rambler, later becoming Meriden Street Trailer Sales, from which he retired after 28 years as a mechanic and service technician. Herschel was an active member of the VFW and the Mendota Elks Club. In retirement, he was the driver, box carrier, and tireless supporter of Minnie’s ceramics business, T M Ceramics, heading to craft shows nearly every weekend. Herschel and Minnie also enjoyed traveling together and trying their luck at the casino. Herschel loved to play the lottery, slot machines, and Queen of Hearts at his cousin Sandy’s bar, The Lounge, in Earlville, with the dream of winning it big and taking care of his entire family. Anyone who has ever met Herschel knows that he was the kindest soul; just an all-around good person to his core. He was a faithful Christian and an active member of Zion United Methodist Church, sitting on the Board of Trustees and overseeing the maintenance of the building. He was a patriot who loved his country and prayed for the leaders of the world. He was a mechanic whose love for collecting gadgets, paired with his mechanical ingenuity, resulted in some very creative solutions. Above all else, he was a devout family man. Herschel was David’s first role model, Kathy’s first hero, and Minnie’s everything. He cherished Minnie until his very last breath. He exemplified their marital vows in every way, protecting her and loving her through all of life’s trials until her last breath in 2022. After 70 years of marriage on earth, they are finally reunited in the kingdom of heaven for eternity. They will rest together in paradise side by side. Herschel’s life will be honored on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Zion United Methodist Church with a visitation from 1 pm until 3 pm and a celebration of life service starting at 3 pm. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Mendota Elks Lodge #1212 to be used for The Elks Crippled Children’s fund. Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.