Hershel F. Oxford

Hershel Foster Oxford, 91, of Rockford, departed this earthly life on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.  He was the second son of Herbert Gordon and Opal (Foster) Oxford, born on December 7, 1926 at Cave-In-Rock, IL.  He graduated from Cave-In-Rock Grade and High School and also from Southern Illinois University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and his Masters Degree in Supervision in 1959.  Hershel was inducted into the U.S. Army in April, 1945 and served 19 months in the Occupation Troops with about one year in Japan, chiefly in Yokahoma, Toyko and Shiga Heights Ski Resort. 

He married Marjorie Hoover on January 1, 1948 in Morganfield, KY and two daughters were born to this union, Sheila Diane and Cindi.  Hershel accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in March, 1953 at First Baptist Church, Cave-In-Rock, and was ordained as a deacon in 1954.  He was a member of North Love Baptist Church in Rockford.  Hershel devoted 36 years of his life to education.  He taught 11 years in his hometown, 14 years at Blue Mound-Boody, 3 years at Morrison, 1 year as Principal and Superintendent of Decatur Christian School and 7 years at Equality, serving as High School Principal and Superintendent.  He retired on July 1, 1984.  He served as Mayor of his hometown from 1989-1994 when he resigned to retire in The Villages of Lady Lake, FL from 1994-2003.  In 2003 he moved to Rockford where his daughter, Sheila lives.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; daughters, Sheila (Leon) Wellwood of Rockford and Cindi (Bill) Brehm of Decatur; grandchildren, Brett (Laura) Wellwood and their daughters, Abby and Kelsy, of Rockford; Bryan Wellwood and his daughter, Brooke, and son, Brandt Foster of Rockford; Kelly (Jeff) Wagoner and their daughter, Jayci, of Ft. Worth, TX; and Jennifer (Joe) Skelley and their daughter, Madison and son, Tyler Joseph, of Decatur.  Predeceased by his parents and brothers, Herb, Jr. and James Deneen. 

Funeral Service will be at 11:00am with a visitation from 10:00am until the service on Monday, April 23, 2018 in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory-Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to North Love Baptist Church or Northern Illinois Hospice.  Burial in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery.

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