A Mass of Christian Burial for Deacon Herschel Steward was celebrated March 22 at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lebanon. Deacon Steward, 73, died March 17.

Deacon Steward was ordained to the diaconate in 1986 by retired Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk. He served at St. Francis de Sales from his ordination to the present.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Ellen Hinkle and Sondra Lynn Ryan, two sons, Jonathan and Michael, brothers, Sylvan and Richard, and sisters, Mildred Hall Anita Patterson, Monna Williams and Betty Clark. Interment was in Miami Valley Memorial Gardens.