Terry E. Herbst, age 81, of New Haven, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in his home, surrounded by his family. Terry was a member of the first graduating class of Bishop Luers High School in 1962 and received his bachelor’s degree in education from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer in 1966. He then received his master’s degree in education from St. Francis College. During his forty-four-year teaching career he taught elementary education at Columbia City Schools, St. Joseph Hessen Cassel Catholic School and retired from the East Allen County School system. He was a referee for basketball, football and softball for forty years and was a member of the Northeast Indiana Officials Association (NEIOA). He also was a volunteer with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Fort Wayne and the Real Men Read program, was a long-time blood donor with the Red Cross and was a devoted member of St. Peter Catholic Church. Terry was also an avid fan of Notre Dame, the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians.

Terry was born on July 12, 1944, in Fort Wayne, the son of Edwin Herbst and Rozella Wolfe. He married Ann L. O’Reilly on April 8, 1967, in Fort Wayne and she survives.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two daughters, Emily (Kerry) Sylvester and Rachael (Michael) Bryant; two sons, Matt Herbst and Jeff Herbst; two grandchildren, Erin Breitenwischer and Gabi Bryant; and one brother, Lance Herbst of Columbia City, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jim Herbst, and a sister, Rosita Kaminski.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Bartholomew Okorie officiating. The family will receive visitors for one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. in the church. Interment will take place in Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Stillwater Hospice or the American Red Cross.

Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude for the loving care shown to Terry by Stillwater Hospice and Home Instead.

To send condolences or sign the online register, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.org.