Herbert Lewis Brail

Herbert Lewis Brail was born December 26, 1937, in Chicago, IL, to Herbert Lubek and Ruth Bertha (Lindeman) Brail. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully on November 3, 2023, at Iowa Veterans Home, Marshalltown, Iowa.

Herb graduated from Hyde Park High School in Chicago, married Margaret Yukiko Hayashi, then joined the Air Force. As a Boy Scout, he was proud to have earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, in 1957. It was there he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ to be his Savior and was called to preach. Herb served as a pastor for forty-four years in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and lastly, Lighthouse Baptist Church, Rock Island, IL. After retiring from the pastorate, Herb served full-time with his "Magic with a Purpose" ministry. He and Marge used professional-grade illusions and trained animals to explain Bible stories in exciting ways. In 2016, they moved to Des Moines to be near family. In his last years you could find him and his faithful rabbit "Miss Velvet" at Farmer's Markets on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings where "Miss Velvet" would give away Gospel tracts (pamphlets). Herb's passion in life was to preach and spread the Good News of Jesus.

Herb was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Marshalltown. He is survived by his beloved wife Marge (who will continue to reside at Iowa Veterans Home), daughter Ruth Brail-Freeman of Des Moines, son Edward Brail of Oakland, CA, and grandchildren Lauren Brail of Denver, CO, Joshua Brail of Brooklyn, NY, Thomas (Brittany Long) Freeman of Des Moines, and Michael Freeman of Portland, OR.

The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church, 3020 East 38th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50317 at 11:00 AM Monday, November 13, 2023. The funeral service will also be live-streamed: https://livestream.com/fbcurbandale/events/4137131 . A light luncheon will be served after Monday's funeral service. All are welcome to the graveside service with military honors at 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 14, at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Fellowship Baptist Church, 1008 E. Olive Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158.