Funeral services for John Dale Herrmann of Adrian, Missouri will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 1 - 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Fair Haven Children’s Home in Straffford, Missouri or In Search of the Lords’s Way TV Ministry or the Ballard School District, Ballard, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.John Dale Herrmann, 89, on Friday, February 6, 2026, departed with angels from his home at rural Ballard Missouri. John Dale was born on March 5, 1936, to Herbert Hadley and Mildred Etta (Spears) Herrmann at Butler MO.
John Dale is survived by his daughter, Misty (Rick) Wainscott of Ballard, Missouri; his son, Darren (Brenda) Herrmann of Blue Springs, Missouri; grandchildren, Nathaniel (Erin) Wainscott, Preston (Haley) Wainscott, Dallas (Carrie) Herrmann and Kara (Lance) Benson; great-grandchildren, Macie and Maxton Wainscott, Brynlee, Blaise, Brecklyn and Brittyn Wainscott, Beau Benson, and Callie Herrmann; sisters, Willa Dean Everts and Marlyn Strope; nieces Joyce Cote’, Nancy Mckeehan, Pam Everts, Kim (Jeff) Bogue, Sheryl Fajen and Teresa (Terry) Bond; nephews, Alan Everts and Bill (Beth) Everts; many great and great-great nephews and nieces; and longtime friend, Shirley Umstattd. He was preceded in death by Beverly his wife of nearly 68 years; his parents; brother-in-laws, Dale Everts, Jim Strope, Ray Combs; sister-in-law Barbra Combs nephew Danny Everts, nieces Karan Combs Miller and Jill Everts.
He was the middle child having an older sister and a younger sister. He walked about a mile to attend the Harmony one room school for his elementary education. As he walked past neighbor Woodrow Wackerman’s house, he would fix him a Hot Toddy to warm him up on cold winter mornings. As a youth he ran rabbit traps and was a little mischievous from time to time with two of his buddies Johnny Smith and Delbert Umstattd. He loved sports, especially basketball and baseball. He had natural talent, so when he attended Ballard High School he got to participate in these two sports. His senior year he broke a bone in his foot during a basketball game and missed the last 5 games. He still was awarded Honorable Mention All State which was for all schools in the entire state no matter size or location. After school he continued playing town team basketball and played on a traveling baseball team, often playing in Springfield MO. His senior year he tested his farming skills by putting out his first crop, soybeans. As they grew grasshoppers ate off the bean plants, but they grew back only to finish with a drought and raise no crop leaving him a $600 + debt.
Sports were not all he was interested in during high school. At 16 he was introduced by his Aunt Lois to his future wife Beverly and the rest was history. When he wasn’t playing sports or at school he could be found east of Leeton MO spending time with the love of his life. After graduation and while waiting for Beverly to graduate, he worked doing construction and concrete work in the Knob Noster area. Finally, their marriage took place on May 25, 1956, with his uncle James Willett officiating. They moved to Ballard, living northwest on 18 Highway in Shortie’s house. John Dale began a job at General Motors in the city and worked there for about 3 years until Uncle Sam required him to join the Army which sent them to Fort Bragg at Fayetteville, North Carolina. Before returning to Missouri to head overseas, their first child Misty Dawn was born. About three weeks later John Dale sailed the Atlantic to Bad Kissingen, Germany where the three of them lived for the next year and a half. Because John Dale had taken a typing class in high school, he was assigned to Sargent Boudreaux to do his paperwork and drive around the commanders when on post. He obtained the rank of Specialist E4 for his service. John Dale bought an Opel Kapitan car for $75 and on his days off he, Beverly and Misty, enjoyed many trips exploring countries close by and driving on the fast Autobahn. John Dale made lasting friendships with several Army buddies, later visiting them from time to time. Seeing the Statue of Liberty on his return sail back to the states was the most beautiful sight he said as she had a whole new meaning for him.
A farm was bought 5 miles west of Ballard, which they later named Herrmann’s Hideaway, and they began cattle, pig and row crop farming. John Dale went back to work at General Motors but one day he returned home early, quitting his job telling Beverly if we can’t make it farming then we don’t need it. About three years later they were blessed with their son, Darren Dale, making their family complete and he kept farming until the time of his death.
John Dale continued his love of basketball by following the Ballard team of 1969. He attended every game and saw them advance to play at Warrensburg college campus in the state tournament on March 3, 1969. He then followed the 1970 Metz MO basketball team. Passing through Clinton MO on the way to attend a game, he made a stop at the church of Christ where he obeyed the gospel and was baptized by brother Earl Doty and his faithful service for the Lord began. He joined Beverly in attending the church of Christ in Johnstown, where he had attended with his family as a youth, later becoming a long-time young adult Sunday school teacher and occasional song leader. He had great love for God and took seriously the need to bring others to Christ. He would go throughout the community inviting neighbors to Sunday service, gospel meetings or just visiting with them about the status of their souls. He supported missionary work in India, Malawi Africa and the tv broadcast program In Search of the Lord’s Way. He was thankful that his family are faithful members of the church and was filled with joy when he witnessed the baptism of the next generation, his great granddaughter Macie. His presence at services each week was an inspiration and great example of faith to all.
John Dale never knew a stranger and was always striking up a conversation. He loved his community and served on the school board, drove the school bus and coached his son’s baseball team. He supported the Ballard school in various ways, and he and Beverly were awarded Bulldogs Biggest Fans, and he was named Ballard Alumni King. He had a generous heart and helped many in the community when times were tough and was always willing to help his neighbor when the need arose.
He was Daddy to his daughter, Dad to his son and Papa to his grand and great-grandchildren showing his love for them, cheering them on, giving advice and teaching them life lessons. He attended their sporting and school events including seeing all four grands high school and college graduations and their weddings. He and Beverly enjoyed traveling, which included all 50 states and many countries, bluegrass festivals, monthly lunch visits with cousins Emil & Judy Spears and Gary & Sue Spears and every New Year’s Eve with Delbert & Shirley Umstattd. He was a fun uncle in his younger years letting his underage nieces and nephews drive his vehicles around the farm when they came to visit. He loved his sisters, calling them often to check on them and be a source of encouragement. He was a loving and faithful husband and kept his wedding vows true by caring for Beverly at home for several years when her memory faded. God blessed John Dale richly and he was a good and faithful servant in many ways. He was loved and respected by his family and most anyone that knew him. He will be missed immensely.
