Herman Eugene Vandenburg

Herman Eugene Vandenburg, 72, Nevada, Mo., passed away due to complications from surgery on Friday, March 7, 2014, at Freeman Hospital West, in Joplin, Mo. He was born April 7, 1941, in Nevada, to Herman Vandenburg and Mary Etta (Leer) Vandenburg.

Herman was a 1960 graduate of Nevada High School. He had many struggles to deal with in his life, but managed to do so with admirable strengths. He always had an upbeat attitude, liked to joke around and be as happy as possible. Herman suffered eye issues his whole life in addition to hearing and kidney problems, but he would take it in stride and deal with it. He was a boy from the country and the country was in him, loving country music and dancing. Herman was a tidy and polite gentleman. He was a true man in every sense despite his handicaps, which he continued to conquer to the end and had a way of making the day a little fuller by his presence.

Survivors include two aunts, Ella Dupus and Don, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Sadie Cartwright, Salinas, Calif.; one uncle, Roy Leer, Ash Grove, Mo.; and cousins, Gary and Linda McCauley, Harrisonville, Mo., in addition to other cousins and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and his longtime companion, Helen McConnaughey, who meant the world to him.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, March 14, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with the Rev. Wayne Leer officiating. A private interment will follow in Moore Cemetery, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service on Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Kidney Foundation in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.