A funeral Mass was celebrated Thursday, Dec. 31, at St. Andrew, Roanoke, for Father Michael J. Herbert. Father Herbert, 68, died Wednesday, Dec. 23, at the Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
A native of Orrville, Ohio, he graduated summa cum laude from John Carroll University in 1974 and the University of Michigan Law School in 1977. He practiced law in Wisconsin and Ohio until 1983. That year he began a distinguished teaching career at the University of Richmond’s T. C. Williams School of Law until he resigned to enter seminary at The Theological College (Catholic University of America).
After his 2005 ordination, Father Herbert served as parochial vicar for three months at St. Bridget, Richmond, followed by a year as parochial vicar at St. Joseph, Clintwood, and Holy Family, Tazewell. He also served as campus minister for Appalachian Law School in Tazewell.
Father Herbert served as pastor of St. Therese, St. Paul, St. Mary, Coeburn, and Good Shepherd, Lebanon, from June 2006 until November 2012, when he became vicar for health at St. John, Marion. He served as episcopal vicar for the Western Vicariate from June 2012 until October 2014.
Father Herbert was named pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Salem, in January 2013 and served until August when he was forced to retire due to a previously undiagnosed heart disease.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, John and Susan Herbert of Columbus, Ohio, sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Patrick Rodgers of Tinley Park, Illinois, and by several nieces and nephews.