August 25, 1938 - August 18, 2024
Herbert Louis Mahl was born on August 25, 1938 in Canute, Oklahoma to Michael and Henrietta (Wenthold) Mahl. He passed away at his home with family by his side on August 18, 2024 in Enid, Oklahoma at the age of 85.
Herbert grew up in Canute, Oklahoma with his three sisters and loving parents. He attended Holy Family Catholic School from first through twelfth grade. He graduated in 1957. He loved helping his father in the family Phillips 66 gas station where he worked through high school. Herb joined the Army Reserves in 1957 where he was a Sergeant based out of Ft. Chaffee in Arkansas. While in the Army Reserves, he worked building houses on the Clinton Sherman Airforce Base and then attended Southwestern College in Weatherford, OK for 1 ½ years. He was discharged in 1964 after 7 years.
Herbert met the love of his life, Elaine Dorothy Novotny, and they married November 30, 1963. Also in 1963, he started working for Southwestern Bell Telephone as a cable splicer and engineer. In 1964, Herb and Elaine moved to Enid, OK and had their four children. Herbert worked for Southwestern Bell for 35 ½ years. Herbert and his family attended St. Francis Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Men’s Club, and was a Eucharistic Minister. He volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital (Saint Mobile), Our Daily Bread (pick up van), and St. Francis where he drove the van to pick up parishioners to attend Mass.
Herbert had 12 grandchildren: Connor Rush, Bethany Rush, Michael Mahl, Preston Rush, Miranda Mahl, Niki Giacomello, Sallie Mahl, Christian Giacomello, Lillian Mahl, Thomas Mahl, Nicholas Mahl, and Christopher Mahl. He loved wood working and making things for other, travelling, and playing cards and board games (he built the pegs & jockers wooden game set for many friends and family). He had a passion for travelling and camping. He travelled everywhere with Elaine, their children and grandchildren, and many friends. He cherished his grandkids. He helped them make many things in his outdoor shed. They all loved “Grandpa’s hamburgers”! They also enjoyed many camping trips and the great outdoors with Grandpa.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Etta Mahl; and sisters, Janice Hunnicutt, JoAnn Mock, and LenaBell Herbal.
Herbert is survived by his wife, Elaine (Novotny) Mahl; his children Melissa (Mahl) Rush and husband Brian of Denton, TX, Kevin Mahl and wife Ginny of Flower Mound, TX, Sonya (Mahl) Giacomello and husband Richard of Flower Mound, TX, Jerry Mahl and wife Michelle of Breckinridge, OK; 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made through Anderson-Burris to Our Daily Bread or St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Restoration Fund.
Recitation of the Rosary will be Friday, August 23, 2024 at 1:15 pm at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with the Mass of Christian Burial following at 2:00 pm. Reverend Mark Mason will be the celebrant. Private family interment will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Canute, Oklahoma. Cremation arrangements are by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory.
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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