Herschell Leland King

Herschell Leland King of Hamilton, MT passed away on July 2, 2006, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Weighing 12 lbs. and coming into this world on the kitchen table, her was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1912, to Raymond and Essie King in the small town of Frankton, Indianna. Flag day was a perfect birthday for Hersch as he was a patriot, very proud of his country. As an infant, he escaped diphtheria which claimed the life of his 7-year-old brother. His love of fishing was evident at an early age as he would walk the banks of the Pipe Creek behind his house, fishing for small mouth bass. His parents, because of losing their oldest child and fearing for the safety of their young son, forbade him to go to the river by himself, but Hersch would not be deterred from his desire to catch the big one. Out of frustration and concern for his safety, his parents chained him to a tree in the yard. Hersch outfoxed them by bribing his younger sister, Erma Lee, with candy in exchange for a file with which he could free himself to go fishing at the river.

Hersch’s father was a funeral director. He decided that this would not be his career when he assisted his father in retrieving a farmer’s body after he had been gored by a bull. However, another bull played a part in his life when the bull charged him while he fished along Pipe Creek. He climbed a tree and for nearly two hours, the bull snorted, butted, and pawed at the base of the tree. But rescue was at hand when a bulldog appeared, a dog known in the small community as being mean spirited, but for some reason had befriended Hersch. Hersch called the bulldog which took on the bull, biting its flanks. The wounded bull left in a trail of blood. The owner later sued Hersch’s father but did not prevail.

Hersch led a full, exciting, fortunate life. He knew the word “timing” as well as anyone, for as a teenager, he was riding in a car with three friends who decided to go to a silent movie in Elwood. He asked them to stop at his house so that he could change his clothes. While waiting for him, the teenagers drove around the block where they were his by a train, and all were killed.

Hersch began his college days at Purdue University and then transferred to Ball State University where he received his degree in Industrial Arts. He later received his master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Ball State. While an undergraduate, he earned two letters in baseball and three in basketball. He played under college basketball Hall of Fame coach Branch McCracken who later went on to win two national championships at Indiana University. He played against such players as Hall of Famers Ray Meyer, Mose Krause of Notre Dame, and John Wooden of Purdue. But baseball was his love. Just hours before his cardiac arrest at the hospital, he told his granddaughter that he was so upset that the NBA selection show had preempted the baseball game on ESPN.

After graduation at Ball State, Hersch signed a contract with the Indianapolis Indians, a minor league baseball team. One of his few misfortunes occurred in the winter before he was to report to the team. In his first year of teaching Industrial Arts this winter, as he was trying to save a student from an accident with a power saw, he cut off the first joint of his index and middle finger. This caused him to be unable to throw from his catcher’s position and ended his future with his beloved baseball. Even with this disappointment, perhaps his only regret in his 94 years is that his Chicago Cubs never won the World Series.

From age 22 to 25, he coached the Frankton basketball team to a 30-24 record, losing 15 games by a score of 4 points or less. He chose to resign as coach after that, saying in later years that his team was full of talent, and the only reason for the close losses was the coach. However, years later, he helped mold the lives of young men at the high school in Columbia City, Indiana, coaching basketball, baseball, and golf.

Hersch was a true educator, passionate about how curriculum should be designed to reach the varied abilities and interest of all students. His contributions were exemplary. As a Guidance Counselor in the high schools in Columbia City and Marion, Indiana, he was instrumental in guiding and preparing students for entrance in the military academics, Ivy League schools, and other schools of higher learning. But true to his belief in challenging all students, he worked equally as hard to guide the non-college-bound students into training programs and vocational education. He also went to businesses and industries, creating opportunities for non-graduate employees to receive their high school diploma.

However outstanding his accomplishments, this all paled in comparison to his life as a husband and father. The importance of family and family values was the very core of him – family was everything. He married Elizabeth Hollis on Christmas Day, 1937, thus beginning their marriage – their love story. His devotion to his wife and hers to him is an inspiration to his family and those who knew him.

Hersch is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth (Liz), of 68 ½ years, who is strong knowing that his love, his strength of character, and positive outlook will always be a part of her and all the family. He is also survived by daughter Judy Yockey and her husband Lee, son Tom King and his wife Diane; grandsons David Yockey and wife Tammy, Greg Yockey and wife Amy, Chris King; granddaughter Kelly kind and fiancé Jon Zogg; great grandsons Kyle Yockey, Ryan Yockey, Kellen Yockey, and great granddaughter Megan Yockey. He is also survived by his niece, Rita Sue Etchison, of Anderson, IN.

At his request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in his name has been established at any of the branch offices of Farmers State Bank for Marcus Daly Hospital EMS/Ambulance.