Hershel L. Roberts, 68, of East Moline, died Tuesday, May 3rd at Trinity Terrace Park after a long courageous battle with cancer. Services are 10 AM Friday, May 6, 2011 at Calvary Church of the Quad Cities, 4700 53rd Street, Moline. Burial is in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Visitation is 2-7PM Thursday at the Church. In lieu of flowers and statuary, a memorial fund has been established for a charitable gift in Hershel's Name. Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline is assisting the family. Hershel was born April 6, 1943, in Guin, Alabama the son of LeRoy and Delia (Shirley) Roberts. He married Betty Ann Sims on June 30, 1961 at the former Moline Gospel Temple. Hershel was hired at John Deere Harvester in 1963. He was elected Union Steward for the UAW that same year. During his career at John Deere, Hershel served as a committeeman and held positions on many committees and councils. In 1982 he was elected President of UAW 865. Hershel's ability to communicate with people allowed him to negotiate every contract he was responsible for, never allowing a strike to occur, always thinking not only of the workers, but of their families as well. Hershel was appointed to the UAW Region 4 staff in 1987. Hershel was a devoted UAW member retiring in 2004. At that time, he had serviced eleven UAW Local Unions and had been the coordinator of the UAW Region 4 Women's Council for over 13 years. Upon retiring, Hershel received the prestigious Walter P. Reuther, Distinguished Service Award. Hershel Roberts is a name well known in the dirt track racing circuit throughout the Midwest. His racing career began in 1968 when he bought a car from Benny Hofer, using shoe polish to paint the number 66 on the door, racing sportsman and figure 8 races. Over the years he moved to IMCA open wheel cars then to late model. In 2004 his dream became a reality when he and his son Ken teamed up to form Roberts Motorsports. Hershel raced even after his diagnosis, it was his passion. His final race was in October 2010 at the Quad City Speedway. He raced his infamous red 58 car, winning the "B" feature. He continued to race in the main event finishing to an entire grandstands of cheering fans, friends and family. Hershel won numerous track championships and awards, including the Ronnie Weedon award in 2006, was inducted into the Quad City Raceway Hall of Fame in 2007, and was presented a Key to the City of East Moline in 2010. Hershel is survived by his wife, Betty; children Ken (Beth) Roberts, East Moline, IL., Wanda Roberts, East Moline, IL, Steve (Peggy) Roberts, Northport, NY; three brothers, Ted (Nancy) Roberts, Tony (Chris) Roberts, Lee Roberts (Darlene) all of Milan, IL; grandchildren Chelsea, Tess, Sadie, Katie, Luke, and Elle. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Preston, and Troy. Hershel was the kind of person who treated people the way he wanted to be treated, often being called the "Country Gentleman". Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com