Earl "LeRoy" Hergesheimer

Earl “LeRoy” Hergesheimer, 85, of Benton, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at his place of residence.

LeRoy was born on March 17, 1940, to Thomas Earl and Dorothy Faye Williams Hergesheimer in West Plains, Missouri. LeRoy worked for years as a field representative for Jackson Purchase Electric Cooperative, and when he wasn’t working, he loved making a difference in the lives of children. He was a children’s church pastor and was well known for his puppet ministry, which was quite entertaining, with the show's star being a puppet named Emmitt Bo Diddly. Along with children’s ministries, LeRoy was involved with multiple mission trips, two of those being in Mexico, building homes, and another to Haiti. He also exemplified his faith with Gideon’s International and the Christian Motorcyclist Association, of which he was formerly a member. He was known as the best “Bampa” in the world and a fixer and rigger of all things by his grandchildren. There isn’t anything he couldn’t fix in their eyes. He was a member of Christian Fellowship Church.

LeRoy is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carolyn Terrell Hergesheimer of Benton; one daughter, Jill Slayden of Paducah, Kentucky; two granddaughters, Carson Slayden and Cameron Slayden, both of Murray, Kentucky; and one grandson, Cooper Slayden of Benton.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Judy Young; and his parents, Thomas Earl and Dorothy Faye WIlliams Hergesheimer.

Expressions of sympathy can be made in the form of donation to Christian Fellowship Children’s Ministry, 1343 US-68, Benton, KY 42025, or the Christian Motorcyclist Association, CMA # 35406, P.O. Box 9, Hatfield, AR, 71945, 1-870-389-6196.

A private graveside service will held for family only on Friday, April 25, 2025, with a public celebration of life following at 6:00 PM at Christian Fellowship Church.

To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit LeRoy’s Tribute Wall at www.filbeckandcann.com.