1927
John
2013
John Conrad Hernstrom
July 15, 1927 — May 21, 2013
John Conrad Hernstrom of Moline, IL, passed away peacefully at Trinity Rock Island on May 21, 2013. He was 85.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2013, at the funeral home. Burial is at National Cemetery at Rock Island Arsenal where military honors will be conducted by Marine Corps League; Illowa Chapter, which John was a founding father of and served on. Memorials may be made to Marine Corps League; Illowa Detachment Scholarship Fund or to Arrowhead Ranch.
John was born on July 15, 1927, in Lynn Center, IL, to George and Helen (Carlson) Hernstrom. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1945. He served in the United States Marine Corps in the China Pacific, in 1945, and the Korean War, retiring at the rank of sergeant-major in 1975. For his honorable service John earned 2 Bronze Star medals, 3 Purple Hearts, Korean Service Medal with 3 stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation with 1 star. John married Bonnie Jean Greenwalt on May 8, 1950, who preceded him in death on June 6, 1978. He married Betty Popp Mikelson in 1979.
John owned the Hernstrom Excavating & Son Company and was an active member and board member of the Union Congregational Church He also was active in the Marine Corps League and in fund raising for Arrowhead Ranch. Having founded the Toys for Tots program, John remained active in it for several years. He was an avid gardener and sports fan particularly of the Chicago Bears and NASCAR. John was a former Master of Ceremony at National Cemetery Memorial Day Service and a co-founder of Bi County Memorial Day Association at National Cemetery.
John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty Popp; 3 natural children and 3 stepchildren, Terry Hernstrom of Redlands, CA, Debra Hernstrom in Iowa city, IA, Kyle Hernstrom in Moline, IL, John (Amy) Mickelson in Columbus, IA, Dan (Patsy) Mikelson in Naples, FL, and Sandy Mikelson in Coral Springs, FL; 17 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sister, Nancy Landi in Orion; sister-in-law, Glenda Hernstrom in AR; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister, 1 brother, and his first wife.
Online condolences may be left for his family by visiting esterdahl.com.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2013, at the funeral home. Burial is at National Cemetery at Rock Island Arsenal where military honors will be conducted by Marine Corps League; Illowa Chapter, which John was a founding father of and served on. Memorials may be made to Marine Corps League; Illowa Detachment Scholarship Fund or to Arrowhead Ranch.
John was born on July 15, 1927, in Lynn Center, IL, to George and Helen (Carlson) Hernstrom. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1945. He served in the United States Marine Corps in the China Pacific, in 1945, and the Korean War, retiring at the rank of sergeant-major in 1975. For his honorable service John earned 2 Bronze Star medals, 3 Purple Hearts, Korean Service Medal with 3 stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation with 1 star. John married Bonnie Jean Greenwalt on May 8, 1950, who preceded him in death on June 6, 1978. He married Betty Popp Mikelson in 1979.
John owned the Hernstrom Excavating & Son Company and was an active member and board member of the Union Congregational Church He also was active in the Marine Corps League and in fund raising for Arrowhead Ranch. Having founded the Toys for Tots program, John remained active in it for several years. He was an avid gardener and sports fan particularly of the Chicago Bears and NASCAR. John was a former Master of Ceremony at National Cemetery Memorial Day Service and a co-founder of Bi County Memorial Day Association at National Cemetery.
John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty Popp; 3 natural children and 3 stepchildren, Terry Hernstrom of Redlands, CA, Debra Hernstrom in Iowa city, IA, Kyle Hernstrom in Moline, IL, John (Amy) Mickelson in Columbus, IA, Dan (Patsy) Mikelson in Naples, FL, and Sandy Mikelson in Coral Springs, FL; 17 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sister, Nancy Landi in Orion; sister-in-law, Glenda Hernstrom in AR; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister, 1 brother, and his first wife.
Online condolences may be left for his family by visiting esterdahl.com.
Visitation Details
Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 3:00pm - 7:00pm, Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory
Service Details
Friday, May 24th, 2013, 11:00am, Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory
Interment Details
National Cemetery
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