Vaughn Michael Herbel

Powhatan - Vaughn Michael Herbel 69, passed away August 23, 2024 in his home in Powhatan, VA after a heroic and prolonged battle with Cancer.

He was born May 18th, 1955 in Conneaut, Ohio the son of Vaughn and Clara Herbel. He graduated from General McLane High School in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation he received a degree as an electrical technician. He worked on the maintenance staff at Edinboro University as a painter and maintenance technician. He possessed a natural ability to work with his hands and fix just about anything that was broken. He was chosen to participate in a two-year training program with AMSCO/STERIS and upon completion of the program he was one of the only two offered a position with the company. This led Mike and Fran to make a difficult choice, to leave Pennsylvania and their support system to seek better opportunities for their growing family in Virginia. In 1984 a family caravan left North West Pennsylvania to help move the family to Virginia settling them down in Chesterfield County. This has led to forty happy albeit occasionally muggy and pollen coated years.

He had a wide range of hobbies over the years including but not limited to playing chess, making his famous gnocchi, riding motorcycles, gardening, computers, reading books, gun collecting, and rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a big music fan creating a massive digital music library. He was particularly fond of Motown, specifically the Temptations, Four Tops and Smokey Robinson. He also loved the Beach Boys as well as Sam Cooke and Chuck Berry.

He was a devoted family man that always made time to throw the ball with his son or attend concerts with his daughter. He chaperoned field trips, attended sporting events and even made the famous Herbel Popcorn balls for an entire classroom of kids. The family spent many happy days poolside and at the beach. Mike usually with his nose in a book if he wasn't throwing the kids around the pool. In his retirement, he enjoyed spending the days with Fran getting pedicures and taking her shopping at Gabe's. Even though he knew she didn't need any of the stuff he took her anyways because it made her happy. His favorite pastime in retirement was spending time with his grandson Charlie, playing games, teaching him to use tools, and riding the tractor.

He was a very loving and jovial man that will be remembered (whether they like it or not) by every waitress, clerk or random passerby that he would strike up a conversation with. He was incredibly warm and friendly with those he encountered. He had an inherent ability to empathize with people and make them feel like family.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years Frances (Marcinko) Herbel. His children Michael Vaughn Herbel and his wife Kara and Beloved Grandson Charlie and daughter Jamie Lynn Herbel and her Fur babies Crosby and Rou all of Virgina. Sisters Deborah Herbel of Conneaut OH, Barbara Herbel Jones and her husband Dennis of Edinboro PA; Gretchen Herbel Schlosser of Edinboro PA. Brother- in-law Gene Schlosser of Waterford PA.

Additionally, he is survived by Fran's family including brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Stevan Marcinko of McKean PA; Debbe Marcinko of Pittsburgh PA; Patrick Marcinko and his wife Dolores of Fairview PA; Thomas Marcinko and his wife Debbie of McKean PA; Michael Marcinko and his wife Heidi of Cambridge Springs PA; Linda Stonis and her husband David of Edinboro PA; Sally Bayer and her husband Robert of North Ridgeville OH; Ruth Skonieczki and late husband Timothy of Erie PA. He was adored by all of his nieces and nephews who enjoyed spending time with their Uncle Mike.

A funeral mass will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Powhatan, VA on September 7th at 11:00AM. Private family luncheon to follow at County Seat Restaurant in Powhatan, VA. Affinity Funeral Service is handling arrangements, info@affinityfuneralservice.com