Ray E. ‘Herb’ Herbel, 77 / Oct. 9, 1932 — April 14, 2010

Published 9:10 am Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Ray E. “Herb” Herbel, 77, of Almaugus Drive, Niles died at 7:24 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka following a brief illness.
He was born Oct. 9, 1932 in Nekoma, Kan. to Harry Herbel and Eva Moore Herbel. He moved to Michigan in 1962 from Lincoln, Neb. He retired in January 1995 from the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as a teacher and principal.
Ray was a lifetime member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was a craft director at Camp AuSable. He was an artist, enjoyed gardening, travel, camping, nature, baking and cake decorating. He earned his bachelor of arts in education from Union College in Lincoln, Neb. and his master’s degree from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich. He served in the United States Army in Korea as a sergeant first class medic.
On June 2, 1957 in Abilene, Kan., he married LeAnna (Rodie) Herbel, who survives.
He is also survived by a son, Brent (Connie) Herbel, of Huntsville, Mo.; a daughter, Kathy Herbel, of Niles; a granddaughter, Lindy Herbel, of Huntsville, Mo.; a grandson, Grant Herbel, of Huntsville, Mo.; brother, Norman (Judy) Herbel, of Abilene, Kan.; and a sister, Elsie (Pasqual) Herbel Wilson Herman, of Liebenthal, Kan.
A brother, Dale (Patricia) Herbel, of Caldwell, Idaho preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2010 at Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church, Niles with Pastor Darrel LeRoux of the church officiating.
Visitation will begin one hour prior to services at the church.
Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
Memorial contributions may be made to Camp AuSable, 3ABN, the American Heart Association or Hayes Adventist School.
To all students that Mr. Herbel has had the privilege of teaching, he longs to meet them again in heaven.