Robert Heil
Robert J. “Bob” Heil, 92, a lifelong resident of Uhrichsville, died May 9, 2011, at Altercare, Hilliard, following a short illness.
Born Feb. 9, 1919, in Uhrichsville, Bob was a son of the late Roman H. and Elizabeth Catherine Heil. He attended Immaculate Conception Elementary, Dennison, and graduated from St. Charles Preparatory School in 1938. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and later attended classes at Harvard and MIT. After college, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy, with whom he proudly served his country during World War II, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. From 1942-46, he was a radar officer with Air Group 15 aboard the U.S.S. Carrier Essex and survived many perilous campaigns in the South Pacific theater. He continued to serve in the Navy Active Reserve until 1961.
Bob was the president and owner of the Coca Cola Bottling Co., Dennison and, for many years, was a vice president of First National Bank, Dennison. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church his entire life. Bob was also active in the civic life of his community, serving as a past president of the Twin City Hospital board of directors and of the Twin City Chamber of Commerce, as a former district chairman for the Boy Scouts of America, and as mayor of the city of Uhrichsville. He also enjoyed his associations as a member of Dennison Eagles Aerie 582, Uhrichsville Elks Lodge 424, American Legion Post 230, VFW Post 9338, and the Dennison Knights of Columbus, where he was a third degree member.
Upon returning home from the Navy, Bob married the former Eleanor Barbara “Elly” McCullough, with whom he enjoyed over 48 years of marriage until her passing in 1994. They are survived by sons, Robert J. Heil Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Frank G. (Pam) Heil of Columbus; daughters, Katherine Agnes (Dave Monstrey) Heil of Traverse City, Mich., Mary Elizabeth McCullough of Longmont, Colo., Eleanor Barbara (James) Driggers of Helena, Mont., and Patricia Ann (John) Tertuliani of Hilliard; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his sister-in-law, Rita Veinot of Sommerville, Mass.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Katherine Zita and Dr. Robert E. Wolf.
Services will be held May 12, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church, with Father Anthony Lonzo officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery near Dennison. Family and friends are invited to call May 11, from 5-7 p.m., at R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home.
Those wishing to honor Bob’s memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Immaculate Conception Church’s Cemetery Fund.
Born Feb. 9, 1919, in Uhrichsville, Bob was a son of the late Roman H. and Elizabeth Catherine Heil. He attended Immaculate Conception Elementary, Dennison, and graduated from St. Charles Preparatory School in 1938. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and later attended classes at Harvard and MIT. After college, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy, with whom he proudly served his country during World War II, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. From 1942-46, he was a radar officer with Air Group 15 aboard the U.S.S. Carrier Essex and survived many perilous campaigns in the South Pacific theater. He continued to serve in the Navy Active Reserve until 1961.
Bob was the president and owner of the Coca Cola Bottling Co., Dennison and, for many years, was a vice president of First National Bank, Dennison. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church his entire life. Bob was also active in the civic life of his community, serving as a past president of the Twin City Hospital board of directors and of the Twin City Chamber of Commerce, as a former district chairman for the Boy Scouts of America, and as mayor of the city of Uhrichsville. He also enjoyed his associations as a member of Dennison Eagles Aerie 582, Uhrichsville Elks Lodge 424, American Legion Post 230, VFW Post 9338, and the Dennison Knights of Columbus, where he was a third degree member.
Upon returning home from the Navy, Bob married the former Eleanor Barbara “Elly” McCullough, with whom he enjoyed over 48 years of marriage until her passing in 1994. They are survived by sons, Robert J. Heil Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Frank G. (Pam) Heil of Columbus; daughters, Katherine Agnes (Dave Monstrey) Heil of Traverse City, Mich., Mary Elizabeth McCullough of Longmont, Colo., Eleanor Barbara (James) Driggers of Helena, Mont., and Patricia Ann (John) Tertuliani of Hilliard; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his sister-in-law, Rita Veinot of Sommerville, Mass.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Katherine Zita and Dr. Robert E. Wolf.
Services will be held May 12, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church, with Father Anthony Lonzo officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery near Dennison. Family and friends are invited to call May 11, from 5-7 p.m., at R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home.
Those wishing to honor Bob’s memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Immaculate Conception Church’s Cemetery Fund.
Published: May 11, 2011
