Herschel Lee McMillen, Jr., 85, of Versailles, formerly of Farmington and Jefferson City, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City, following a lengthy illness.
He was born July 31, 1940, in Kansas City, the son of Herschel Lee McMillen, Sr. and Betty Jean (Howey) McMillen.
He was first married to Mary Jo (Cariddi), and together they had four children. Following her passing, he was united in marriage on March 21, 1981, in Sweet Springs, to Denise Lynn (Baker). This marriage was blessed with three children.
As a young man, Herschel played baseball, football, and softball. He attended Northeast High School in Kansas City and later earned an associate degree in business administration from Worthington Community College in Minnesota.
Herschel owned and operated several businesses, including H&L Grocery, Golden Glaze Donut Shop locations in Higginsville and Lexington, and a snack vending company.
He and Denise were active members of First Baptist Church of Sweet Springs where he served as a deacon, as well as First Baptist Church of Jefferson City and New Heights Church in Farmington.
He enjoyed fishing, cooking, and following the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals. Known for his sense of humor, he enjoyed joking and conversation and will be remembered as ornery but easy to talk to.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Denise, of the home; five children, Jeffrey Lyn McMillen (Pam), of Kansas City, Catherine Marie McMillen, of Phoenix, AZ, Joseph Lee McMillen (Tracy), of New York, New York, Jonathan Lloyd McMillen (Amy), of O’Fallon, Illinois, and Gabrielle Lynee Borton (Jay), of Versailles; along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to his first wife, Mary Jo, he was preceded in death by his parents; a son, James Michael McMillen; a daughter, Bernadette Maria McMillen; a brother, Larry Dee McMillen; and a great-granddaughter, Shaylee Marcelle McMillen.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Sweet Springs.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2026, at the church.
Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs.
Memorials are suggested to New Heights Church, in care of Heckart Funeral Home, 903 S. Ohio Ave., Sedalia, MO 65301.