Herbert Jordan, 93, of Oskaloosa, passed away Friday, June 23, 2023, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House.
Herbert Jordan, son of Fred and Marie (Mooney) Jordan, was born October 8, 1929, at his parents’ home in rural Eddyville. Number four of 13 children, he attended country school, and his sister taught him for a year. As a child on the farm, he learned to work hard and love the land. Tragedy struck the family as a teenager losing his father and three siblings in a year’s time. This heartbreak cut short his plans to enter the Marine Corps, and he remained at home to help support his family by farming rented land with his brothers. Herbert then went to work with the railroad for ten years as a Gandy Dancer, one who repairs broken rails, and then for Garden Engineering.
On December 6, 1954, Herbert married Shirley Kay Rodgers in Missouri. Their first home was near Eddyville. Herb and Kay then moved to Oskaloosa. They eventually moved back to a farm near Eddyville and then returned to Oskaloosa. Herb and Kay were some of the first fixer-uppers, establishing numerous rental properties before purchasing the family farm SW of Oskaloosa. While farming, Herbert also worked with concrete; he worked with his brothers, and his last employer was JW Concrete.
Herbert enjoyed a simple way of living: his work, gardening, playing poker with his family, mushroom hunting, car rides, and coffee time with friends at McDonalds.
Herbert’s family includes his four daughters: Carrie (Leland) Sams, Janice Jordan, and Carol (James) Champlin, all of Oskaloosa, and Gale (David) Mitchell of Jackson, TN; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Allen (Donna) Jordan of Oskaloosa, Allene (Darrel) Lanser of Oskaloosa, Betty Faulkner of Pasadena, CA, and Shirley Vos of Pella.
In addition to his parents and wife, Shirley, Herbert was preceded in death by five brothers: Johnny, Freddy, George, Gerald, and Ralph, and three sisters: Elizabeth Herron, Mary Jordan, and Geraldine Hynick.
Funeral Services for Herbert will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Darren Melton officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery. The family will greet visitors from 9:30 a.m. to service time on Tuesday. Memorial contributions can be made to Mahaska Health Foundation for the Hospice Serenity House.
