Henry Heitzig
Jerseyville | Friday, October 8 2010 |
Henry W. Heitzig, 95, died at 2:30 a.m., Friday, October 8, 2010 at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville following a brief illness.
Henry was born on in the Westwoods section of rural Jersey County on Sept. 10, 1915, and was the son of the late Joseph A. & Mary (Schmieder) Heitzig. He completed his elementary school years at St. Mary's School near Fieldon and from there entered the Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. His freshman year was interrupted by a lengthy illness so he returned home where he recuperated for a few years and began working for his uncles. He was ultimately able to finish high school and graduated from Jersey Township High School in 1936.
Henry began working for Fleming Oil Company in the mid 1940's as a Mobil gas distributor and retired as their manager in the early 1990's. He also operated the Jerseyville Eastern Railroad for 10 years and was involved in farming his entire life.
Henry was a loyal member of the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville. He was always very active in his beloved church, faithfully serving as a trustee at the time of his death. One of his last contributions at the age of 90 was serving on the committee that presented the proposal for the building of the Father William Hembrow Center to the Diocese of Springfield. His opinion was always respected and valued. He was also the driving force for the success of the Holy Ghost summer picnic and raffle well in to his 80's.
Henry was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years, achieving the rank of 4th degree. During his lifetime, he was also a member of the Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, Westlake Country Club, Jersey County Farm Bureau, and the Jersey County Historical Society.
He married the former Helen Handleron June 3, 1944 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fieldon, and she died on Feb. 12, 1990. He later married Bernice (Mossman) Ferguson on Feb. 20, 1993 at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 9, 2007.
He is survived by his two daughters & sons in law, Penny & TJ Meyer and Linda & Roger Distlehort all of Springfield; four stepsons, Larry, Ron, Dave and Joe Ferguson; four grandchildren, Michael, Kelly, Heidi and Hans; several step grandchildren; a brother & sisters in law, Aloys & Mary Lou Heitzig; two sisters and a brother in law, Mary Margaret & Max Nowak, and Leona Green; two sisters in law, Eleanor Heitzig and Leona Heitzig all of Jerseyville. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. As a resident of Jerseyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for the past four years, he leaves behind many friends and caring staff members there as well. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Vincent, Cletus, Bernard & Joseph Heitzig; and two sisters, Mary & Katherine Heitzig, as well as an infant sister.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where a short prayer service will be said at 3:30 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will conduct at chalice presentation at 7:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville with Father William Hembrow officiating.
Burial will be in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery west of Jersevyille on Highway 16.
In lieu of flowers & plants, memorial contribuations in Henry's memory may be given to the St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School or to masses.
Henry enriched all of our lives with his smile, easy friendliness and love of visiting. He will be missed.
Crawford Funeral Home
