Herman Eugene Truitt, the only son of Jesse and Juanita (Jones) Truitt, entered his Heavenly home on Thursday, September 11, 2025. He passed peacefully after a very brief illness.

Herman was born July 1, 1936 in Adair County, Missouri, at his parents’ home in Pure Air, an almost forgotten neighboring town of Novinger, Missouri. As a youngster Herman attended some of the finest
rural schools of Adair County, graduating from Brashear High School in 1954. On January 22, 1956 he was married to Ann Morrison Truitt, who preceded him in death on October 13, 2019.

After graduation Herman moved to Kirksville and went to work at the Montgomery Ward Tire Shop. He proudly earned $35 cash for working 44 hours per week. In 1958 Herman found his career niche and entered into a business deal with Harold and Imogene Sevits. Together they started a company called Champion Trenching. He was known as an outstanding backhoe operator and was blessed with an innate ability to dig a trench within inches of a designated line or point. Even though Champion Trenching was expanded to include many pieces of heavy equipment, Herman never found one he could not quickly master. In 1992 Herman was elected 1st District Commissioner of Adair County. He was a proud Republican and grateful to serve at a time when people had common sense and were still willing to respect each other’s opinions, even when they differed.

Herman loved his family with all of his heart. They meant the world to him. He is survived by his children Ronnie (Sheila) Truitt and Karla Truitt (Jon Ward). His grandchildren: Jeremy Truitt; Ian (Whitney) Truitt; Cecil (Kieley) Truitt; and great-granddaughter, Bellamie Truitt. Also surviving are his sister Virgie Smith, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was met at Heaven’s gate by his first-born son, Dickie, who was called to be an angel in 1959. He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Jay and Lois Morrison, as well as his brother-in-law Frank
Smith, and his special friend, Wanda Rogers.

You would be hard pressed to find any person who was a harder worker or better provider than Herman. He was raised a farm boy and learned how to do about anything with what he had on hand, be it barbed wire, electrical tape, or a good pair of pliers. He was the bestest of grandpas, because he could make a go-cart out of spare parts in the shop. Over the years, Herman served on many committees and boards. He was well-known and respected for his common sense approach. Herman had been a member of the Northeast Missouri Coon Hunter’s Club and spent many nights hunting with his faithful hound, Speck.

He had been active in the Adair County Republican Club and was currently on the Ringo Point Cemetary Board. Herman attended New Hope Evangelical Church. He volunteered at the NEMO Nutrition Site for almost 17 years. He loved greeting the people, seeing old friends and making new friends. He found music comforting and seldom missed a Summer on the Square Music Concert in Kirksville. He will be
forever missed by family and friends.

Herman’s wishes were to be cremated. He never wanted a funeral because he believed they were a waste of money and even more wasteful if a person had to miss work to attend one. Memorial Contributions may be made in his honor to the NEMO Nutrition Site.