Raymond (Ray) V. Herbst
ESCANABA — Raymond (Ray) V. Herbst, 89 years old, of Escanaba, Mich., passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Born November 5, 1934, to Marie (Sturdivant) and Earl Herbst in Escanaba, Mich., where he spent his childhood. Upon graduation from Escanaba Senior High School, Ray served in the U.S. Army. After his years in the Army, he settled in Northern Illinois, where he trained to become a skilled carpenter and married his beloved wife of 52 years, Dollie (Mueller) Herbst, on September 16, 1972.
Ray was a proud Carpenters Union Local 250 member for the past 66 years. Ray was also an avid hunter and fisherman, a member of the Great Lakes Fishing Club, the National Turkey Federation, and the Ford River Lions Club. Ray was strong in his faith as an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hyde, at one point serving as Deacon, and very much looking forward to fellowship at Salem Lutheran Church in Escanaba. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Dollie Herbst; children, Tammy (Michael) Brady of Genoa City, Wis., Brandy (Phil) Portwich of Sister Bay, Wis., Christal Herbst (Jon Parkman) of Lake Villa, Ill., Raymond Herbst Jr., Lisa Herbst, and Lynne Herbst; grandchildren, Melissa, Emma, Caleb, Hunter, and Piper; great-grandchildren, Dalton, Marley, and Zyion; brothers, Gordon Herbst and Bill (Marvella) Herbst; sisters, Alice (Howard) Watchke, Mary Raedar, and Betty Watchorn; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his brothers, Bob and Louis Herbst, and sister, Barbara Dahlgren.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Funeral services for Raymond V. Herbst will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church with Rev. Paul Doletzky officiating. A luncheon will be served following the funeral services in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in the West Ford River Cemetery.
The Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the Herbst family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.