Jacob Loyal Herrit, age 21, of Butler, closed his eyes and spread his wings on Sunday, March 14, 2021. He is now in the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He was born July 3, 1999 in Twinsburg, Ohio to Josh and Melissa Craig Herrit.

A member of the Knoch High School Class of 2018, Jacob was a junior at Gannon University in Erie.

He was a member of Holy Sepulcher Roman Catholic Church.

He loved working out and was an outstanding athlete. He received a scholarship to West Point, along with a National Army ROTC scholarship, but ultimately ended up choosing Gannon.

He loved his country and served it proudly through ROTC.

He received a Citation Award from the Ocean City Police Department for his service alongside them this past summer.

Jacob had true kindness and compassion for each person he met. He was a best friend to everyone. He had a natural calling to love and serve others.

He had a smile that lit up any room he walked into and brought joy to any situation he was in. His passion for life overflowed into his appreciation for everyone around him.

He was a leader on the baseball and football field, as well as off the field. He led not only with words, but through action as well. He was man of integrity and a true leader that anyone would be honored to follow.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, compassion, advocacy, and friendship. His light will never be extinguished, but will continue to shine through those whom he loved.

He will be forever loved and missed by the multitude of friends and family left to carry on his legacy.

Jacob is survived by his father and stepmother, Joshua and Maria Herrit, of Butler; his mother, Melissa Craig Herrit, of Butler; one brother, Luke Herrit, of Butler; one sister, Tiela Hunt, of Pittsburgh; two stepbrothers, Noah and Josh Darsie, of Butler; his paternal grandparents, Paul "Bud" and Ilean Herrit, of Butler; his maternal grandfather, Loyal "Tom" Craig, of Butler; one aunt, Marci West and her husband, Ray, of Butler; one uncle, Curtis Craig, of Clearwater, Fla; and five cousins Raymond, Cody, and Jordin West and Darren and Derek Perry.

Jacob was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Virginia "Ginny" Craig; and his uncle, Richard Perry, Jr.

Friends will be received in the Martin Funeral Home, Inc., 429 Center Avenue, Butler, on Thursday from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Sepulcher Roman Catholic Church, 1304 East Cruickshank Road, Butler, with Rev. Charles Bober officiating.

Everyone is asked to please meet at the church.

Masks must be worn, and social distancing will be maintained at the funeral home and church.

In  lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention -- Pittsburgh Chapter, 3500 Victoria Street, 415 Victoria Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15261.

Jacob's Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at www.hvproductions.net/live