Born on June 6, 1927 at Hammond, Mo. John William Heriford, age 79, passed from his earthly home to eternal rest on June 7, 2006. He was the son of James Blaine Heriford and Dora (Grudier) Heriford. John was born on June 6, 1927 at Hammond, Mo. He was a resident of Ava for the past two years moving here from Thornfield.
John worked as a bulldozer operator, a carpenter, a general store owner, a farmer and cattleman. He served in the U.S.
Air Force following the ending of World War II. With the exception of family and friends, his main interest was his Hammond Farm where he was raised and later owned. There he spent many hours doing what he enjoyed.
John became a Christian and was baptized on Nov. 7, 1948. He attended the Thornfield General Baptist Church where he was song leader.
John and Barbara Terry were married March 23, 1949 in Mtn. Home, Ark., and to them one daughter was born.
His survivors are his wife of 57 years, Barbara; a daughter, Jana Hesterlee and husband Joe; two granddaughters, Alicia Miller and husband Sam, and Jaime Holt and friend, Nick, all of Ava; two step-grandsons, Bill and Jason Hesterlee; two great-grandchildren, Morgan and Zack Miller; five step-great-grandchildren, Tyler, Makayla, Shae and Devlin Hesterlee, and Katie Miller; one sister, Virginia Hutchings of Thornfield; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his father-in-law, mother-in-law, two sisters, Bernice Hobbs and Betty McCullough, and three brothers, Junior, Lester and Hadley, three brothers-in-law and one niece.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Revs. John Haskins and Wendell Daugherty officiating. Interment will follow in the Thornfield Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Thornfield General Baptist Church or Community Hospice of Mtn. Grove.
Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
