Russell Jon Herberg, age 48, of Northwood, Iowa, died Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2004, at the United Methodist Church, 1000 First Ave. N., Northwood, with Rev. Wendi Gillan officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. S., Northwood, and one hour prior to service time on Thursday at the church.

Russell Jon Herberg was born on Aug. 12, 1956, in Mason City, the son of George and Phyllis (Johnson) Herberg. Russell received his education in the Northwood-Kensett School system, and graduated from Northwood-Kensett High School class of 1977. Russell also attended N.I.A.C.C. in Mason City. Russell worked as a chef for the Holiday Inn in Albert Lea, Best Western Inn in Clear Lake, Iowa, and Rochester, the Albert Lea Country Club, and at the Glenville Restaurant in Glenville.

Russell had a deep abiding faith and was very active in the United Methodist Church in Northwood. He was a certified lay speaker, membership secretary, Sunday School superintendent, head usher, communion assistant, was on the alter committee, member of the administrative council at the church, and was a Sunday School teacher.

Russell was very active in the Northwood Lions Club, in which he was past president and secretary. Russell was also active in the district level of the Lions.

Left to cherish his memory is his stepfather and mother: Delos and Delores Cook of Mason City; stepbrother, Darren and his wife Jeanine of Calgary, Canada, his stepsister, Michelle Quintin and her husband Maurice of Calgary, Canada; a stepbrother, Terry Cook of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a stepsister, Rebecca Chiafos of Watkins, Iowa; a cousin; Linda Wigant and her son Jason of Northwood; his aunts: Mary Zmolek of Boone, Iowa, Marilyn Kastler of Rochester, and Ann Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz.; his uncles: Ray Zmolek of Boone, Iowa, and John Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz.; a great-aunt; Marie Wemken of Manly; special friends: George and Joanne Kesler of Northwood; as well as other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; maternal and paternal grandparents; uncles: Charles Johnson and Richard Kastler; and a great uncle, George Wemken.