John Herbst, 92, of Mahomet, died Dec. 14, 2013, in Urbana. He was born May 24, 1921, in Valmeyer to the late Valentine and Augusta (nee Garleb) Herbst.

Herbst was a professor emeritus of agricultural economics and vocational agriculture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

He was an agriculture teacher at Minier, Standford, Virden and Ball Township (Chatham) high schools.

He received honorary memberships Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta, and Alpha Tau Alpha.

He was also awarded the Honorary American Farmer Degree.

He taught more than 3,000 students during his career at the University of Illinois and authored a textbook on farm management that was used in many colleges for more than 40 years.

He wrote many articles and teaching materials used in community colleges and high schools.

He served on the Agricultural Economics Courses and Curriculum, Undergraduate Student Relations, and the University Senate Calendar committees for several years.

He was also a member of the Graduate Faculty.

He was a member of Valmeyer United Church of Christ, Virden United Methodist Church, Chatham Methodist Church and most recently the Mahomet United Methodist Church.

His hobbies included traveling in all 50 states, Canada and Europe, studying foreign languages, baseball, golf, and fishing.

Survivors include his wife Mava, son Darrel Herbst (Judy), daughter Barbara Rusk, son Robert (Terri) Herbst; grandchildren Brenda Rusk (Steve Austin) and John Rusk, Darrel (Tara) Herbst Jr., Joshua (Brigid) Townsend, Jason Townsend, Jacob Townsend and Jennifer Townsend; great-grandchildren Madison Duncan, Barlow Herbst, Lilliana Townsend, Logan and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marie Wetzel and grandson Kenneth Herbst.

Visitation will take place at Blair Owens Funeral Home in Mahomet from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 19.

Funeral services will be at the Mahomet United Methodist Church in Mahomet at 11 a.m. Dec. 20, with Rev. John McIntosh officiating.

There will be a visitation one hour before the funeral beginning at 10 a.m. at the church.

Memorials may be given to the Mahomet United Methodist Church.