Gentry county Missouri, Obituaries: Hershel Jennings Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by: Don Raymond STANBERRY, Mo. - Hershel Jennings, 86, of Stanberry, died March 20, 2005, at the Pineview Manor Nursing Home in Stanberry. He was born Sept. 9, 1918, east of Alanthus Grove, Mo., son of Lester and Lenna Temple Jennings. On May 25, 1947, he was married in Lincoln, Kan., to Genevieve Phipps, who survives of the home. Jennings was a 1936 graduate of Northwest Missouri State College laboratory high school. He attended Northwest Missouri State College for two years and later was a member of the Bearcat Squadron, A group of young men who underwent flight training just prior to World War II. He continued his education at the University of Missouri, where he graduated in 1940 from its college of Agriculture with a degree in soils science. He was a naval aviator in World War II, flying patrol and rescue missions over the Central Pacific. He was discharged as a 1st lieutenant. He returned home to establish a land improvement contracting business that he operated for 35 years. He enjoyed working with farmers and developing long-range plans with them to improve their land over a period of years by such means as clearing timber and brush, and building ponds, terraces, birms and dams. He also farmed. Mr. Jennings served several terms as president of the Missouri Land Improvement Contractors Association, a group that he co-founded that became the model for similar organizations in other states. Mr. Jennings served on the Gentry County University of Missouri Extension Council, the Stanberry R-II School Board and as chairman of the board at the First Christian Church, Stanberry. He also was an elder of the church for many years. Upon his retirement, he was honored with a plaque by the Stanberry Chamber of Commerce. He was named Father of the Year in November, 1970, at Northwest Missouri State University. Other survivors include sons, Ron Jennings of Sedalia, Mo.; Steve Jennings of New York City; and Galen Jennings of Kirksville, Mo.; a daughter, Tammy Heath of Lee's Summit, Mo.; two sisters, Naomi Edmonds of Chesterfield, Mo.; and Lenna Vance of Kearney, Mo.; and six grandchildren, Mary Pillars, Megan Simon, Katie Pointer, Melody Kruzac, Ryan Jennings and Derek Jennings. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister. Funeral service: 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the First Christian Church, Stanberry. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Stanberry. Friends may call anytime after 2 p.m. March 22 at the chapel. Military rites: Raymond Sager American Legion Post No. 260 of Stanberry. Burial: High Ridge Cemetery, Stanberry. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice and may be sent to the Roberson-Polley Chapel, P.O. Box 153, Stanberry, Mo., 64489.