West Branch, Iowa Hershal E. Gray, 97, died Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, with visitation 1 hour prior to service on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch, Iowa. A memorial fund has been established. Hershal was born on September 11, 1912 in rural West Liberty to Justin and Harriet Conklin Gray. He was a graduate of Springdale High School. He farmed most of his life in the Springdale area. Hershal was a resident of Cookson Home in West Branch for many years and later moved to Heath Manor in West Liberty. He was a lifelong member of the Springdale United Methodist Church and the Cedar County Historical Society. He is survived by 3 nieces: Pam Jensen of Waterloo, IA, Julie (Michael) Wilkins of Bennett, IA, and Deb (Dale) Ott of Iowa City, IA, 5 nephews: David (Terry) Day of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Steve (Sue) Day of Jacksonville, FL, Kent (Donna) Gray of Lawrenceville, GA, Nick (Carol) Stolte of Fennimore, WI, and Paul Stolte of Des Moines, IA. He is also survived by many great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters: Lucile, Irene, and Clarice and 1 brother: J. Edwin. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. “Courage”.