Obituary of John Francis Herberger Sr.

John Francis Herberger Sr. entered into rest August 9, 2025. Born November 19, 1945 in Lockport NY, he was the son of the late Donald F. and Virginia (DeNeau) Herberger.

John Herberger worked for many years at VanDeMark chemical as a furnace man. Loving husband to Caroline for 44 years. Dear friend to Ken Shoesmith.

John's passion was checkers.  John started playing checkers at the early age of 7.

John ranked 45th nationally in the United States. John was a master checker player who once played Tom Wissel, the national champion,  to a draw when he was only 20 years old. John has played checkers for several community benefits playing 10-20 people at once. He played the Canada Open against Bruce Morrison in 2010 which was a 20-game match. Bruce Morrison won the contest 5 to 4 with the other 11 games ending in a draw. John then played him again the following year in Montreal,  QC. John defeated Bruce this time 7-2 with 5 draws. Mr. Morrison conceded the match after 14 games. Also John was invited to the NIagara County Sheriffs picnic anually to play the Sheriffs.

John had the opportunity to play against Millard Hopper, checker champion of the World.In 1964 at the New York World’s Fair, Hopper set up a booth, took on all comers, sometimes a dozen at a time, played some 5,000 games, lost three. John met him in NY a few years later, they played about a dozen games- John defeated him 3 times.  In a similar fashion, John played locally where he'd set up 12 tables at the Niagara County Fair and take all comers. On at least one occasion, he played blindfolded, with his back to his opponents. The squares were individually numbered. They would call out what numbered square they moved to, and he would verbally reply with his move, going from one player to the next.  He was undefeated.

John is survived by his beloved wife Caroline (Lang) Herberger. Beloved father of Lucie (Jim Coleman) Hill and the late John Francis Herberber Jr. Grandfather of Adam Hill (Natalie), Alexis Hennebohl, Racheal Miller, Jacob Miller, Aiden Hill (Kaylie Weczerek), Ethan Hill and Corey Davis. Dear brother of Thomas (Patricia) Herberger, Ann (Stephen) Gordon, James (Maria) Herberger, Patricia (David) Denny, Michael (Linda) Herberger, Donna Herberger (Stephen Rycyna), Virginia "Ginny" Herberger (Thomas Lumb), Theresa (Todd) Layer and the late Mary Rita (Cislo) Herberger and Mark Herberger. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 12-2 on Friday August 15, 2025 at the Taylor & Reynolds Funeral Home 70 Niagara Street, Lockport NY 14094, where the Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm. Interment in Cold Springs Cemetery.