Robert L. Herndon

Robert L. Herndon, of Grove City, passed away the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. He was 85.

Mr. Herndon was born on Oct. 18, 1936, in Washington, D.C., to Mary V. (Reed) and Floyd R. “Reds” Herndon.

Known to most as “Bob” or “Herk,” he married Barbara A. DeMarsh on June 9, 1956. She preceded him in death on June 17, 2017. They were married for 61 years, and she was the love of his life.

Bob was raised in Washington, D.C. His first job out of school was with the FBI, where he met his wife, Barbara. They were married six months later.

Bob and Barb moved to Slippery Rock, to start a new life. Bob started working in the coal mines and fell in love with the business. He eventually became an owner in the mining business, and employed over 300 local people. After a few years, Adobe Coal & Oil recruited Bob to run and expand their business. He worked seven days a week to provide for his family, who were the most important thing in his life. When his wife was diagnosed with MS, he made the choice to retire so he could care for her. His care and efforts prolonged her life.

Bob was a very private person. He was one of the most generous and modest men you could ever meet. Bob made sure that he paid the college tuition for his children, grandchildren and his only nephew.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a philanthropist, and he privately helped families in need as well as supporting other family's children's educational needs. He never wanted any recognition for the gifts he gave, and always insisted on being anonymous.

Bob was very simple in what he loved in his life. He loved his family. He loved to read. He loved to go to church in the morning, where he met a very good friend, a hermit nun. After the passing of his wife, the nun became a very important person in his life, who guided him through many things. She and his children were with him when he passed. Bob and Barb loved the Blessed Mother and the protection she provided to their family.

Bob's other two great loves were his 600-acre farm located in Venango County, and his summer home in Piney Point, Md.

Bob enjoyed spending time outdoors and loved walking daily at the farm. One day while he was walking, he came upon a stray kitten, who was freezing and starving. He rescued her and Sassy became his best companion. One of his favorite family days was at the farm the day after Christmas. All the men would get together to shoot, ride ATVs, and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

Piney Point, Md., was a vacation spot where he and his family spent time when Bob was young. One of his goals was to some day own a home there. In 1977, he purchased a home, where he continued the family tradition with his own family. He loved the Fourth of July because all 40 family members would stay in the house together. “Yes all 40 in one house.”

Bob's survivors include four children, Kim Zavoral and her husband, Ernie, of Canfield, Ohio, Mark Herndon of Grove City, Michael Herndon and his wife, Tammy, of Grove City, and Heidi Fricke and her husband, Ronald, of Cincinnati, Ohio; his grandchildren, Ernie Zavoral and his wife, Jen, Kelly Harkey and her husband, Greg, Emily Pezzuolo and her husband, Gary, Jessica Worgul and her husband, Mike, and Robbie, Rachael, Zachary and Tyler Herndon, Torrie Wroblewski and husband, Jeremy, Ronnie Fricke and his wife, Joy, and Elisa Fricke; his great-grandchildren, Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth and Matthew Zavoral, Madeline, John, Vivian and Isabel Worgul, Leo Herndon, Kyrie Clark, Lilian Pezzuolo, Giulia and Lorenzo Harkey, and Makenzie and Maverik Wroblewski.

Bob is also survived by a nephew, Chris Herndon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Zavoral and Michael R. Herndon; and two brothers, Sonny and Ricky Herndon.

HERNDON — Visitation hours for Robert L. Herndon, who died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Cunningham Funeral Home, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Beloved Disciple, 1310 S. Center St. Ext., Grove City, with military honors to follow.

Burial will take place at Slippery Rock Cemetery.

Memorials in Robert's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.st.jude.org.

Please visit www.cunninghamfhgc.com.