Herbert “Herb” Frederick Tornow, age 86, of rural South Wayne passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026 at the Lafayette Hospital and Clinics. He was born July 26, 1939, the son of Leo and Elsie (Taufman) Tornow, in Wayne Township at the family farm. He often told people he didn’t get far in life as he slept in the same bedroom he was born in. He was a graduate of South Wayne High School. Herb was united in marriage to Yvonne McKeown on November 22, 1959 at the EUB church in Lexington, IL. They farmed in Wayne Township where they raised their four children, Barb, Jim, David, and LaJill.
Herb was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Church in Wayne Township where he served on the council. He served on the Black Hawk School Board for 25 years; he also served as Chairman of Wayne Township for several years, and was a member of the Zion Country Club.
Herb liked to stay busy, along with farming and serving his community he could be found caring for the many goats he raised or tending to his beloved John Deere tractors. As the family joke went, he flunked retirement several times; after farming, he drove semi for Babler Trucking, Greg Feed and Seed, and then school bus for Black Hawk Schools. He eventually fully retired to be the primary caregiver for his wife.
Herb is survived by his wife of 66 years, Yvonne; children, Barbara (Matt Welter) of Sigourney, IA, James of Sullivan, MO, daughter-in-law, Sherry Tornow of Washington, IA; and LaJill (Jeff) Edge of Howards Grove, WI; grandchildren, Erika (Brandon) Bishop, Jackson (Larissa) Davis, Brandon Tornow, Tiffany Tornow, Abby (Brent) Foster, Brad Tornow, Austin (Lauren) Edge, and Morgan (Ben) Fularczyk; great-grandchildren, Maverick Tornow, Heath, Hollis, and Laura Bishop, Presley Fann, Tatum and Odin Tornow, Parker Davis, Thea Foster, and Lucy Fularczyk; sisters-in-law, LaFaun Stephens and Lynda McKeown; special friend, Gary Brinkmeier and family; as well as nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David (2024); grandson, Coby David Tornow; four sisters, Agnes (Roger) Shippee, Margaret (Gerald) Akins, Erma (Edward) Kaster, and Leona (Wilbert) Klassey; and brother-in-law, RJ McKeown.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at St. Paul’s Church, 5238 County Rd DD. South Wayne, with Larry Bolhous officiating. Burial will follow services in Blaisdell Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 25, 2026 from 4:00-7:00 PM at SHRINER HAGER GOHLKE Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at shgfuneralhome.net.
