ELKHART - Joseph Stuart "Stu" Herbert, 80, died Saturday (March 8, 2008). He was born Aug. 18, 1927, in Newburgh, N.Y., to the late Joseph M. and Margaret Barrett Herbert.

The day after he graduated from NFA he entered the U.S. Navy and served during World War II aboard the aircraft carrier Commencement Bay. In 1946 he was honorably discharged. After completing his military service he went on to continue his education and graduated from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., in 1950.

From 1950 to 1973 Commercial Credit Corp. employed him. During this tenure he held several prominent positions including district manager for the companies' credit offices, division manager and national market manager for the automotive and recreational vehicle financing services.

He had vast experience in public speaking and addressed the national sales force of recreational vehicle manufacturers throughout the country and was a featured speaker at the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky. He successfully completed various American Management Association marketing courses and conducted numerous workshops and seminars for Commercial Credit field management personnel in all parts of the United States. He has written numerous trade publications.

In 1973 he retired from Commercial Credit and moved his family to Indiana for a position as senior vice president with Holiday Rambler Corp. in Wakarusa. He later was affiliated with Coachman Industries. Being a person who loved to travel he entered in a career with the travel industry working for a company who did incentive travel with Fortune 500 companies. His travels took him to some of the most exotic places in the world.

He loved all sports and most of all being with family.

Surviving are his wife, Dolores "Laurie" (Roscoe) Herbert of Elkhart, whom he married on Feb. 12, 1955, in Highland Falls, N.Y.; three sons, Stuart M. Herbert of Elkhart, Kevin J. (Donna) Herbert of Bloomington, Ill., and Brian J. (Sarah) Herbert of Avon Lakes, Ohio; and three grandchildren. His brother, Richard P. Herbert, preceded him in death in 2001.

Friends may call for one hour prior to the 3 p.m. Wednesday service to celebrate his life at the Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. The Rev. Bill Sullivan of St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church will officiate. A flag folding and presentation by the United States Navy burial detail will be rendered at the funeral home following the service. Cremation will follow the service, with burial at a later date in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart.

To share a condolence with the family please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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