Herschel Robinson

Herschel Eugene Robinson, 79, of Ashland, Ky., died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, in King's Daughters Medical Center.

He was born in Elliott County to Charlie Oscar and Minnie Mae (Bougess) Robinson, the eighth of nine children. He was also preceded in death by all of his siblings except his baby sister, Lillian Mae Guyette.

His family moved to Boyd County when he was 6 years old, where he attended Summit Grade School and graduated from Boyd County High School in 1951. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953 as a corporal and spent 15 months in Alaska. He worked in the inspection department at then Armco Steel Corp. (now AK Steel) for 39 years and seven months, retiring in 1993.

He belonged to the Rush Masonic Lodge, attended Summit Church of the Nazarene and was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing, football, hunting and raising a garden. He also coached Little League football. He enjoyed meeting with his high school graduating class for monthly breakfasts and fish fries. He was a generous gentleman, always sharing the spoils of his fishing and gardening with all his neighbors and friends. His family was his life.

He is survived by his loving wife, Wilma Jean (Stewart) Robinson, and they were blessed with four children, Cheryl Ann Floyd, Herschel Dale Robinson, Phillip B. Robinson and wife Michelle and Timothy D. Robinson and companion Tonya; six grandchildren, Audrey Nicole Scarlotta (Curran), his "Taterbug," Sarah Beth Floyd Miller (David), Justin Edward Robinson, Dixie Lynn Robinson, Jesse Lee Robinson and Ashley Renee Robinson; four great-grandchildren, Nicholas Curran Scarlotta, Brandon Charles Scarlotta, Lacy Dawn Robinson and Trent Ryder Robinson; and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Dawn and Sara Miller.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Steen Funeral Home-13th Street Chapel officiated by his lifetime friend and co-worker, the Rev. Russel Griffith, the Rev. Tim Daniels and the Rev. Rob Jordan. His niece, Teresa Leadingham Synder, will pay tribute to his life with songs.

Pallbearers will be his nephews, Micky, David, Donnie, Tommy, Alan and Dean Robinson, with honorary pallbearers Bobby Porter and Jessie Triplett. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park. Military rites will be by VFW Post 8850 of Ironton, Ohio.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home, with Masonic rites by Rush Lodge at 7 p.m.

Herschel was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be missed by family and friends. He accepted the Lord as his Savior only late in life, but was truly a Christian in all his living.

Friends may make contributions to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association or the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Association.

Condolences may be sent to steenfuneralhome.com.