Milton Eugene Herring, better known as “Boots” passed away peacefully on January 15, 2022, at his home in Hopkins, Michigan, surrounded by those he loved. He passed with complications due to Covid at the age of 90. Boots was born on August 7, 1931, in Saugatuck Township, Michigan, the son of Victor and Pearl Herring. He worked tirelessly for the Allegan County Road Commission. He had served on the tar rig in the summer and plowed snow during the winter. By the time he retired, he had plowed snow for all of Allegan County throughout his career. Boots was a proud life-time member of the Masons (via the Saugatuck/Douglas Lodge) and of AA for 41 years. He was an honorary member of the Hopkins FFA Alumni. Boots enjoyed many years gathering sap and sharing his knowledge along with his Pure Michigan maple syrup with everyone. He never missed an Allegan County Fair in 85 years until 2020 when it was forced to be closed due to the pandemic. He made close friends everywhere he went including his years at the ACRC, his love of farming, his church family, his involvement in FFA, and the love he had for the Amish community and everything to do with work horses.
Boots was preceded in death by his parents, Victor W. and Pearl Beth (Ridlington) Herring; brother, Earl Herring; and sister, Maxine. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda Eileen (Nowakowski) Herring; children: Sandra Herring of Longmont, Colorado, Tami (Greg) Burd of Waverly, Ohio, and Patti (Jay) Qualls of Allegan, Michigan; 5 grandchildren: Lacey (Zack), Pete (Michael), Mathew (Chelsea), Amber, and Erin (Corey); 7 great-grandchildren: Madison, Emily, Aubrey, David, Jacob, Maverick, and Rachel; and multitudes of close friends whose lives he encountered throughout his life.
Services honoring Boots' life will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at “At The Master's Feet Discipleship Ministry”, located at 814 21st Street in Otsego, Michigan, with Pastor Ray Brown officiating. The family will begin receiving friends and loved ones at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Following the service, a time for sharing love, laughter, memories, and tears will be provided during a luncheon at the church. Boots will be laid to rest following the luncheon at Poplar Hill Cemetery, 2650 30th Street in Allegan, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Hopkins FFA Chapter, 333 S. Clark Street, Hopkins, MI 49328. Arrangements entrusted to Darin Vickers at Vickers Leslie Funeral Home, 109 N. Church Street/P.O. Box 503, Leslie, MI 49251. 517-878-6600.
