Herbert Charles Huddle

Herbert Charles Huddle, age 94, of rural Napoleon, Ohio, passed into his home in Heaven on Sunday, February 9, 2025. He was born on October 23, 1930, and raised in Harrison Township by the late Clarence and Freda (Armbruster) Huddle. On May 6, 1951, he married the love of his life, Betty June Houts of rural Liberty Center, Ohio. Betty went peacefully to her home in Heaven on December 23, 2020, after 69 years and seven months of married life together. They had four children; Steven, Diann Mansfield (deceased), David (Rhonda), and Jean (Scott) Knepley. He had six granddaughters, Carissa (James) Gilgenbach, Kathryn (Mike) Steveline, Robin (Brice) Civiello, Kara (Matt) Payne, Michelle (Ben) Hahn, Rachel (Cole) Gerken; two stepgranddaughters Jackie (Ryan) Anderson, and Nicole (Alex) Wilson, fourteen great grandchildren Colton and Gavin Gilgenbach, Parker and Hunter Civiello, Jacob Payne, Will and Miles Hahn, Crew and Simon Gerken, Isla, Ari, and Bode Anderson, Aiden and Nora Wilson with three deceased Alyana, Sunny, and Elliot Gerken. His siblings are Dwight (deceased), Marilyn Leaders (deceased), and Jay. He was a life long member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Napoleon. Herb served the church as deacon, shepherd, Sunday school teacher, elder, usher, school board member, and financial secretary. In 2004 he and his lifelong friend, Roger Jaqua, co-engineered and installed a low power radio station at the church, WTPS 94.1 FM, which is on the air daily. Herb worked for the L.S. Dunbar Co. after graduation from high school as a mechanic. He received his Amateur Radio license in 1957 as W8UPL which he held his entire life. Herb was later employed as assistant service supervisor for the International Harvester Co. Toledo District which consisted of 81 dealers in Northern Ohio and Southeast Michigan. In 1955, he became co-owner of an IH dealership in North Adams, Michigan. In 1956 he sold his interest and went to work for the new Campbell Soup Plant in Napoleon as a class B mechanic. He advanced in various positions in the container manufacturing department. In 1985, he received a patent for an automated system to sort cans from a jumble bin and place them single file on a cable track. After 38 years and five months, he retired and helped his son, David, farm. In retirement, he restored antique Jeeps and IH red tractors. He established a WW II military vehicles and memorabilia museum. Herb was a charter member of the International Harvester Collector's Club, member of Ohio Motor Pool, Maumee Valley Tired Iron Club, Vintage Motor Car club Defiance chapter, Empire Tractor club, National WW II Museum of New Orleans, National Military Preservation club, the Henry County Historical Society, the Hottel-Keller Memorial, Inc., Mount Olive, Virginia, and the Northwest Territory Sons of the American Revolution SAR. Herb and Betty enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe. In 2022, he set up a scholarship fund in honor of his wife Betty, to assist members of his church entering into synodical schools and universities. The family misses them both dearly. Pall Bearers are his grandsons-by-marriage, James Gilgenbach, Mike Steveline, Brice Civiello, Matt Payne, Ben Hahn, and Cole Gerken. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM with visitation prior to services starting at 9:00 AM until the time of services. The funeral service will be livestreamed at www.stpaulnapoleon.org as well as on St. Paul Lutheran Church and School’s Facebook page. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church (Church, Scholarship fund, or St. Paul Radio station) or to CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. Online condolences may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com. Arrangements entrusted to Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon.

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Herbert Charles Huddle

October 23, 1930 - February 9, 2025