John Louis Herbek, 77, of Springfield passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Springfield. He was born on August 31, 1948, in Christopher, IL the son of Louis and Anna Dorchinecz Herbek. He married Barbara Christy on December 27, 1980, and she survives. They celebrated forty-five years of marriage together this past December.
In addition to his wife Barbara, John is survived by one sister, Judy Shaffer of Owensville, IN, and his two dogs, Charlie and Spencer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Anna Herbek; his mother and father-in-law, Roy and Bernice Christy; one brother-in-law, Gary Shaffer; and his three dogs, Prince, Clancy, and Abbey.
John retired from the Illinois State Police after twenty-seven and a half years of service. After retiring from the Illinois State Police John worked for ten years with District 186 as a permanent sub and security officer.
He was a board member of the ISPFCU Credit for over thirty years, a member of the International Police Association, was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #41, the Command Officer’s Association, Sons of the American Legion, and the Abraham Lincoln Gun Club.
Visitation: 11:00 am – 11:45 am, Monday, January 26, 2026, at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield.
Funeral Service: 12:00 pm, Monday, January 2026, at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield with Deacon Rob Scambelluri officiating. Burial will follow at Joe Brunk Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Protective League.
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