Gene K. Heitmiller

Gene Kenneth Heitmiller, age 86, of West, passed away late Tuesday evening, August 18, 2015 at Providence Hospice Place in Waco. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Eric Coleman, Lilly Leman and Rev. Tom Morrow officiating. Burial will follow at Closner Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Gene was born July 13, 1929 in West, the son of Ernest and Mary (Kreder) Heitmiller. He attended Ross Elementary and graduated from West High School. Gene was an active member of the First United Church in West, where he served as Sunday School Director and President of the Board. On June 10, 1950 he was united in marriage to his faithful partner and love of his life, Charlene Otto in West. He was a fulltime farmer, which was his lifelong passion, and also worked for 8 years at General Tire and Rubber Company. Gene served on the Ross School Board when the new school was built. He took great pride in serving on the Board of Directors at Hilco Electric. After a lengthy illness in 1994, he returned home from the Methodist Hospital in Houston to his three joys - his family, his cows and the Hilco Directorship. His final years were spent showing the greatest love for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed participating in his family's and especially his children's activities. Gene is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bobby Heitmiller; and sisters, Gladys Willig and Mildred Grossman. Survivors include his beloved wife of 65 years, Charlene Heitmiller of West; his daughters, Linda Terry and husband Norman and Debbie Boyd and husband Mike; his sons, Doug Heitmiller and wife Joanne and Larry Heitmiller and wife Leslie; a sister, Ruth Ann Cozby and husband Edwin; a sister-in-law, Dolores Otto; 13 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are his grandsons, Jeff Terry, Craig Heitmiller, Clay Boyd, Brad Heitmiller, Ed Boyd, Jonathan Cox and Cody Heitmiller. Dr. Billy D. Pierce will serve as honorary pallbearer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Closner Cemetery.