Juanita Herring

Juanita Mae Herring, 90, passed away at home, on Monday, January 19, 2026. Juanita was born on September 19, 1935, to Walter and Bernice (Hiatt) Phillips, just outside of Upland. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1953. Juanita worked at the local phone company, as a switchboard operator, before and during the time it became Indiana Bell. She was a dedicated cook, spending 27 years at Eastbrook Schools, where she not only fed students but also nurtured their spirits. Juanita married the love of her life Donald "Don" Herring on October 16, 1955, spending 70 wonderful years together.

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Juanita lived a life filled with love, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the world around her.

Juanita was a proud resident of Upland, IN, where she was known for her warm spirit and infectious smile. She dedicated her career as a cook in the education system at Eastbrook Schools, where she nourished not only the bodies but also the hearts of countless students and was always ready to assist a student who had no lunch money. Her culinary talents were not limited to her professional life; Juanita was also an accomplished cake decorator who delighted family and friends with her delectable creations.

A lover of the outdoors, Juanita spent many joyful hours taking golf cart rides, tending to her vibrant flowers, and watching the varied wildlife that graced her backyard. Her appreciation for nature extended to a passion for bird watching, where she found solace and peace. She found joy in simple pleasures, whether it was scratching lottery tickets, or engaging in her favorite pastime of people watching with a spark of wit.

Juanita's home was a sanctuary of love and hospitality, always welcoming family and friends with open arms and plenty of home-baked cookies. Her grandchildren were the apples of her eye, and she would often send them home with a bag full of cookies, filling their hearts with warmth and sweetness.

She is survived by her loving husband, Donald "Don" Herring; her devoted children, Renda (Craig) Plummer, Mark (Lori) Herring, and Sherri Hughes; her cherished uncle, Rex Hiatt; her grandkids, Angie (John) Irwin, Jennifer (Paul) Ellison, Megan (Garrett) Dill, Derek Herring, Nathan Hughes, Lauren (Kyler) Mills, and Landen (Kate Fisher) Hughes; her great-grandchildren, Johnathan and Emilee Irwin, Makaelyn and Lily Ellison, Ameila and Forest Herring, and Lucy Mills; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Herring, Bonnie Burton, and Carolyn Ketring, and many nieces and nephews.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents; Walter and Bernice Phillips, sisters; Evelyn Wilson, Ruth Lee Puckett, Barbara Phillips, and son-In-law Tim Hughes.

Juanita's legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering love.

Arrangements for Juanita were entrusted to the Jones-Smith Chapel of Armes-Hunt Life Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 259 North Main Street, Upland, Indiana 46989, where on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, there will be a visitation from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., with the funeral beginning at 1:00 P.M. with Nephew, Pastor Darrel Herring officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Jefferson Cemetery, Upland, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Oak Chapel Church, 1335 Jadden Rd, Marion, IN 46953.

Juanita Mae Herring will be profoundly missed, but her love will forever inspire those fortunate enough to have known her. She was, and always will be, pure love.