JUDITH MAY HERBST

1938 - 2023

JUDITH MAY HERBST, passed away on the evening of Tuesday, March 7, 2023, after a brief few days in hospice care, when angels bore her soul, by God's grace, to her heavenly home. Born on Feb. 12, 1938, in White Cloud, Mich., Judy was the daughter of Rev. Edward and Frieda (Schubert) Lang. She was washed in the waters of Holy Baptism and later confirmed in the faith by her father. Judy attended St. James Lutheran School and Crestwood High School, both in Grand Rapids, Mich. She continued her education at Concordia Teacher's College in River Forest, Ill., where she met the love of her life, H. Allen Herbst. They were married on Aug. 1, 1959, in Beardstown, Ill., with both her father and her older brother, Rev. Edward Lang, Jr., officiating the ceremony. Her teaching career began as a teacher for grades 1-4 at St. Paul Lutheran School in Northville, Mich. Judy and Allen moved to Lafayette, Ind., and attended St. James Lutheran Church, where Allen had taken a call to serve as teacher and music director. While in Lafayette, they were blessed with three daughters. The family's next move was to Springfield, Ill., where Judy taught for 14 years at Concordia Lutheran School. Judy and Allen also lived in Evergreen, Colo., and O'Fallon, Mo., before moving to Fort Wayne in 2014. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, H. Allen Herbst; daughters, Lori Jeanne, Lisa Beth (Timothy), and Kathy Lynne (Matthew); six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Duane (Joyce) Lang; sister-in-law, Marjorie Lang. Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Rev. Edward Lang, Jr.; and her nephew, David Lang. Funeral Service for Judy is 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 917 W. Jefferson Blvd., with visitation starting at 10 a.m. Visitation also from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2023, at FairHaven Funeral Home, 6557 N. Clinton St. Burial will take place at Concordia Cemetery, 5365 Lake Ave. Preferred memorials in Judy's memory may be directed to the Emmanuel Lutheran School Building Fund.