Lonnie Max Herndon

Funeral Services for Lonnie M. Herndon will be conducted from the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Darren Stroh officiating. Interment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Lonnie Max Herndon, 40 years of age, of Orange Park, Florida, passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at his home in Orange Park surrounded by his family. Lonnie was born August 28, 1971 at Holdrege, one of two children born to Fred and Bonnie (Carlson) Herndon. He was born with the rare birth defect, Struge-Weber Syndrome, which became a progressive degenerative disease starting about age 7.

He received his education until the 9th grade, when he was unable to continue.

Lonnie endured many hardships from seizures, paralysis, which he recovered from and aspiration during seizures, flu and cold symptoms. He also endured the torment at school of children commenting about his birth mark over his left eye. Through it all, he was able to tell his family, "It's alright Mom, I can handle it."

Throughout his 40 plus years, Lonnie touched the lives of many individuals in a positive manner. This influence spilled over into his school and school administrators. The best testament that can be given about Lonnie, is by a psychologist studying for his Doctorate Degree. He told the family that, "With individuals like Lonnie, you must throw the book away and write your own."

A favorite family memory is of a young Lonnie, who spoke about Second Angels and becoming a Second Angel himself. Until recently, this was a confusing story to the family. Lonnie explained, First Angels were those that helped God create the Earth and Second Angels are those of us that ascend to heaven and become angels. Lonnie is now a Second Angel.

Lonnie had special names for the special people in his life. He called his sister, "My Kim," his Godfather, Dale Anderson, whom he loved, "Farmer Dale" and everyone else were referred to as "his people," which included his special needs caregivers: Karen Heck and Lee Le Clair, whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Harry W. Carlson, Farris L. Carlson, Fred R. Herndon and Jossie (Southall) Herndon.

He leaves to mourn his passing; his parents, Fred and Bonnie Herndon of Orange Park; sister, Kim LeAnn (Herndon) Gits and her husband, Joe of Naperville, Illinois; nieces and nephew: Katie, Kristie, Abby and Joey Gits of Naperville; along with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 24, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established and kindly suggested to the family for research at the Sturge-Weber Foundation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.