Paul J. Herbst, 83, of Mansfield, died suddenly Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. His children were with him.

Paul was born in President William McKinley's boyhood home in Canton, Ohio to Perry C. and Catherine G. Herbst on May 22, 1926. He graduated from St. John High School in Canton in June 1944 and was a member of the football and basketball teams. Paul served in World War II as an operations sergeant and jump master with the 11th airborne division in the Pacific and the occupation of Japan.

In September 1950, he married Elaine H. Martin, who preceded him in death. Paul received a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Cincinnati in June 1951 and is a retired industrial engineer from General Motors.

He enjoyed playing golf at Forest Hills, watching the news and sports on television and watching his grandchildren play sports.

Paul was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, an honorary member of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus, Mansfield Council #687 and an honorary life member of the Father Clement Falter Assembly Fourth Degree. He was noted as an Outstanding Pro Life Chairman for the K of C Toledo Diocese in 1974.

He is survived by his nine children, Kathy H. Herbst of Cincinnati, Diane H. (Dennis) Davis of Dublin, John M. Herbst of Alexandria, Patricia (John) Elswick of Mansfield, Suzanne H. (Dale) Musilli of Mansfield, Terence M. (Kelly) Herbst of Columbus, Joseph M. Herbst of Cary, NC, Matthew M. Herbst of Alexandria and Paula H. (Kerry) Drake of Canal Winchester; 18 grandchildren, Bryan and Matthew R. Herbst, Jennifer Elswick Shrader, Shawn and Christopher Elswick, Heath McReynolds, Heather McReynolds McPeek, Sam Musilli, Brittany Herbst Magee, Aubrey Herbst Stone, Emily, Cassidy and Zachary Herbst, Alex and Kelsey Herbst, Alex and Alexis Herbst and Kacey Drake; six great-grandchildren: Isaac, Olivia, Allie, Brooklyn, Mason and Mia; two sisters, Mary Lou (Robert) Beiter of Cincinnati and Nancy (Regis) McMahan of Tulsa, OK; two brothers, Richard (Debra) Herbst of Arlington, VA and Donald Herbst of Steubenville.

Paul J. Herbst, 83, of Mansfield, died suddenly Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. His children were with him.

Paul was born in President William McKinley's boyhood home in Canton, Ohio to Perry C. and Catherine G. Herbst on May 22, 1926. He graduated from St. John High School in Canton in June 1944 and was a member of the football and basketball teams. Paul served in World War II as an operations sergeant and jump master with the 11th airborne division in the Pacific and the occupation of Japan.

In September 1950, he married Elaine H. Martin, who preceded him in death. Paul received a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Cincinnati in June 1951 and is a retired industrial engineer from General Motors.

He enjoyed playing golf at Forest Hills, watching the news and sports on television and watching his grandchildren play sports.

Paul was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, an honorary member of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus, Mansfield Council #687 and an honorary life member of the Father Clement Falter Assembly Fourth Degree. He was noted as an Outstanding Pro Life Chairman for the K of C Toledo Diocese in 1974.

He is survived by his nine children, Kathy H. Herbst of Cincinnati, Diane H. (Dennis) Davis of Dublin, John M. Herbst of Alexandria, Patricia (John) Elswick of Mansfield, Suzanne H. (Dale) Musilli of Mansfield, Terence M. (Kelly) Herbst of Columbus, Joseph M. Herbst of Cary, NC, Matthew M. Herbst of Alexandria and Paula H. (Kerry) Drake of Canal Winchester; 18 grandchildren, Bryan and Matthew R. Herbst, Jennifer Elswick Shrader, Shawn and Christopher Elswick, Heath McReynolds, Heather McReynolds McPeek, Sam Musilli, Brittany Herbst Magee, Aubrey Herbst Stone, Emily, Cassidy and Zachary Herbst, Alex and Kelsey Herbst, Alex and Alexis Herbst and Kacey Drake; six great-grandchildren: Isaac, Olivia, Allie, Brooklyn, Mason and Mia; two sisters, Mary Lou (Robert) Beiter of Cincinnati and Nancy (Regis) McMahan of Tulsa, OK; two brothers, Richard (Debra) Herbst of Arlington, VA and Donald Herbst of Steubenville.