Don was born January 23, 1941 in Greenwood, Missouri the son of Daniel Lenox Hertzog and Ruby Marie (Shepherd) Hertzog.  He was raised west of Lee's Summit, where he grew up hunting and fishing with his brothers. Don began his dairy career at age 11 when he and his brother, Jerry started milking cows for a neighbor, before and after school, as well as milking on the family farm.  He graduated from Grandview High School, Class of 1960. In 1964, the family purchased a farm in Holden MO where Don moved to farm with his father and brother. They row cropped and raised sheep.   Don was united in marriage to Juanita Fay "Nita" Brockmeier on February 1, 1969 in Holden, at First Baptist Church where Don was an active deacon.  In 1970, their first child, Jeffrey Don Hertzog was born. Their daughter, Kimberly Ann Hertzog, arrived in 1974. This was about the same time that they built a large new dairy barn where they milked 100 cows. The dairy was featured in Dairy Illustrated in 1979, and the family was honored with the County Farm Award. They were recognized as Farm Family of the year in 1983 and represented Johnson County at the State Fair.  It was during this time frame that Don served on the Johnson County Water Board for many years. Don and his family were also founding members of New Hope Baptist Church where Don continued to serve as an active Deacon. In 1988, after retiring from the Dairy business Don opened the Hertzog Hunting Reserve shooting quail, pheasant, and chukar. In addition, he also raised and trained bird dogs.   It was at this same time that the family welcomed a third child, Kristi Irene Burton.

After closing the hunting reserve Don enjoyed his retirement by raising, training, and field trialing beagles. His other passion was enjoying playing with his grandchildren, Coralie Reagan Hertzog (born 1997), Ty Jeffrey Burton (born 2006), Levi Wyatt Talbott (born 2010 ) and Lily Marie Talbott (born 2012). Dons legacy is found in his family's  love of hunting and fishing that came from the years he spent teaching his children and many nephews the joy of the outdoors. He was able to go on several hunting and fishing trips with them to Colorado, Montana, and Canada.

Survivors include son: Jeff Hertzog of Holden; two daughters: Kim Hertzog of Holden; Kristi Talbott and husband, Spencer of Rich Hill, MO;  sister: Ruth Pirch of Oak Grove, MO; three brothers: Bud Hertzog and wife, Betty of Lee's Summit, MO; Jim Hertzog and wife, Sue of Ash Flat, AR and Jerry Hertzog and wife, Jane of Butler, MO; four grandchildren: Coralie Reagan Hertzog, Ty Talbott, Levi Talbott and Lily Talbott and several nieces,nephews and great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Juanita; parents and sister, Jean Alley.

Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 17 th at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden with Pastor Harry Moore officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until service time, Saturday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net