Funeral services for Vernie Herbert (Herb) Roark, 92, Koshkonong, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m,, Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at the Wayside Union Church with Reverend Johnny Holesapple officiating, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
He was born the son of the late William (Bill) Roark and Mary Bell (Tina) Madden Roark, on August 4, 1922 in Koshkonong, Missouri and died November 14, 2014 in West Plains, Missouri.
He is survived by eight children, Janie Roark, Wanda Roark, and Charles Roark, all of the family home, Bill and Judy Roark, Jim and Lisa Roark, all of Koshkonong, Missouri, Wilda and Jim McNiell, Houston, Missouri, Vernie and Linda Roark, Thayer, Missouri, and Jeff and Sheila Smith, West Plains, Missouri; eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Albert Ditton (Sandy) Roark, Juanita Ward, and J. M. (Jay) Roark.
Mr. Roark was a lifetime dairy farmer having started milking cows at the age of seventeen, after the death of his father, Bill Roark. He was involved in the dairy industry for 71 years. He thought the holstein milk cow was the prettiest creature God created.
He was proud of his military service having participated in the liberation of the Philippines, and then served in the occupation of the Japanese homeland.
He married Emma Miller on January 3, 1951, who was the love of his life, and worked side by side with him to create a family, home and farm. He was a loving father to eight children.
He had a life long love of mules, with fond memories of Jack and Joe, a team of his childhood. It gave him great pleasure to recall his many stories of them.
Family visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Monday, November 17, 2014 at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains.
Burial will be in Wayside Cemetery, Koshkonong, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
November 16, 2014 @ 7:02 am
Good bye Uncle Herb. We love you always. Say hello to Daddy for me. I miss you both
November 16, 2014 @ 2:50 pm
Dear Family, I will miss seeing Uncle Herb when I come back to Missouri. I loved to listen to his many delightful stories of the past. also the pride he had in his home and family.
Love to you all.
Laura Ruth Brazeal and family
November 16, 2014 @ 6:52 pm
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Uncle Herb and Jay always looked so much alike. We can’t be there for the funeral, but know that you all are in our hearts! Love ya!
November 17, 2014 @ 12:01 am
So sorry that your Dad has passed away. May your wonderful memories of him bring you comfort during these difficult days. Jim and Virginia Howell
November 17, 2014 @ 10:18 am
I am sorry not to be with you at this time. I have so many fond memories of being with all of you and of Uncle Herb’s sense of humor. He will be missed, but as long as there are memories he as well as Aunt Emma are never far away.
November 17, 2014 @ 9:43 pm
Our sincere sympathy to the family of Herb Roark. Thoughts and prayers are with you.