Gerald T. Herling

Gerald T. Herling (Jerry) was born in Chicago, Ill., March 16, 1931 to George H. and Helen (McCann) Herling where he joined four siblings, Joyce, George Jr., Richard and Marion.

The family moved to Madison, Wis. in 1932. Jerry graduated from Blessed Sacrament grade school in 1946 and from Wisconsin High School in Madison in 1950.

While in high school, Jerry was honored by receiving a Regents Scholarship for his freshmen year at the University of Wisconsin. Further honors came to Jerry when he was selected first team all-city quarterback in football. Jerry enlisted in the Navy when the Korean War broke out and served from 1951 until 1955.

After discharge from the service, Jerry went back to school and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1959. He taught in the Horicon Public School system for four years. He then sold insurance for American Family Insurance for one year.

Finally he settled down and joined the John Deere Horicon Works for a 22-year career in management of production manufacturing. He retired in 1986 at the age of 55 and started his own consulting company, MCR (Manufacturing Cost Reduction) where he worked with a number of companies including a 10-year relationship with Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Co.

Jerry was president and served on the board of directors at the Horicon Rock River Hills Golf Club for several years. He was president of the Dodge County Cancer Society and has currently been very active in the American Legion Post 58 in Fountain Hills, serving on the executive board.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jayne (Heckman); a son, Steven (special friend Kerry) of Watertown; one granddaughter; a sister, Marion Jensen; brother-in-law, Wade Jensen; sister-in-law, Kay Herling; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Legion Post 58, Fountain Hills, American Legion Post 157 in Horicon, Wis., Zion Lutheran Church in Horicon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills, or a charity of your choice.