1933 – 2014
FARMINGTON — Herschel Joseph Rackliff Sr., “Eba,” 80, of Vienna, died Wednesday morning, Aug. 13, in the emergency room at Franklin Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Vienna on Oct. 15, 1933, a son of Joseph Earl and Roxie (Davis) Rackliff. He received his education in Vienna schools and was a graduate of New Sharon High School, Class of 1951. In 1971, he married Geraldine Frances Dalot at New Sharon Methodist Church.
For many years, Eba worked on the family farm in Vienna and New Sharon. He was a papermaker, member of the Local Papermakers Union No. 14 and was employed at International Paper Co., for 36 years.
A lifelong resident of Vienna, he was passionate about helping his community and was a dedicated member of the Vienna Fire Department. At the age of 5, he was at his dad’s side when the Fire Department was established.
He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed cutting wood, gardening, hunting and fishing. His favorite times were spent with family and he always looked forward to the family cookouts.
He is loved by his wife of 42 years, Geraldine, of Vienna; their children, Pam Butterfield of Vienna, Herschel J. Rackliff Jr. and his wife, Sharon, of Farmington, Kenny Rackliff and his wife, Laurie, of Vienna, Rodney Rackliff of Vienna, Peter Rackliff and his wife, Jennifer, of Farmington Falls and Jeff Rackliff and his wife, Jeanie, of Vienna; two brothers, Lawrence Rackliff and his wife, Betty, of Hudson and Alston Rackliff and his wife, Lorraine, of Madison; two sisters, Esther Hoffman of Greene and Hattie Small of New Hampshire; 10 grandchildren, Christopher “Chris” Rackliff, William “Bill” Rackliff, Jake Rackliff, Brianna Charles, Loren Charles, Nathaniel “Nate” Rackliff, Megan Rackliff, Joseph “Joe” “Joey” Rackliff, Samuel “Sam” Rackliff and Nicholas “Nick” Rackliff; three great-grandchildren: Alexander “Alex” Rackliff, Tyler Rackliff and Brayden Swett.
He was predeceased by brothers, Carl and David Rackliff; sister, Grace Holt; and son-in-law, Arnold Butterfield.
Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.
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