Herbert Allen Erkert ("Brother Herb"), 86, of Brownsville, TX, passed away, Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at Valley Baptist Hospital. Herb was born June 28, 1926 in Peoria, IL to Mary Hannah Sommer Erkert and William Christian Erkert. He graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. On June13, 1948 he married Christiane Charlotte Diebold of Auxerre, France. Herb worked for Keystone Steel and Wire Co. and was an amateur inventor and private investor. He enjoyed traveling and sailing. In 1973 he moved to Brownsville, where he resided until his death. He distributed Bibles and encouraged everyone to read the Bible. Herb is survived by his wife, one sister, Dorothy Jean Simon of San Jose, CA, and four children: Allen (Jan) Christian Erkert of Fredericksburg VA, Rosemary(Michael) Lee Gramm of Gridley IL, Carol (Michael) Ann Rieker of Peoria IL and Paul (Nanci) William Erkert of Waxhaw NC. He had eight grandchildren - Amy Ginzel of Peoria IL, Christa Meister of Peoria IL, Joel Gramm of Glendive MT, Michael Rieker of Peoria IL, Jeffery Erkert of Wildwood MO, Paul Gramm of Gridley IL, Alexis Depp of Port of Prince Haiti, and Karen Kovach of Charlotte NC - and fourteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Roger and Jim Erkert, both of Rockford, IL, and one sister, Mary Elisabeth Altorfer, of Peoria, IL. Memorials may be made to the Bible League International, Wycliffe Bible Translators or Amigos Del Valle-Senior Nutrition Center-Casa del Mar-2575 Russel Rd-Brownsville TX- (956)550-8400 Those wishing to sign Herb's guestbook may do so at www.yourtribute.com or www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.