Obituary of Donald Gene Heil

Donald Gene Heil, 74, was born on September 19,1930 in Mobridge, South Dakota where he enjoyed a happy childhood hunting, playing baseball and attending local schools. After graduating from Mobridge High School, Don worked as a brakeman for Milwaukee Railroad before going into the military service in 1952. During his furlough, he married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Ladner, before leaving for active duty in the Korean Conflict. After returning from the military, Don and Darlene made their home in Lodi, CA where he worked for Fiberboard in Stockton before being employed by General Mills, where he worked until retiring after 37 years at 62. Don had fond memories of hunting pheasants with his father and brothers. He also enjoyed many hours gardening, woodworking and home improvement projects, working jointly with his wife. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lodi. Don always had more concern with meeting the needs and pleasures for his family than for himself, seeing to it that there was always some kind of annual family vacation. After retiring, Don and Darlene spent several years traveling before his health became impaired. Don is survived by his wife, Darlene; daughter, Robin and Steve Skelton; son, Brian and Rhonda Heil; grandchildren, Heather Simpson, Erin and Chris Berumen, Brooke and Justin Horning, Noel and Lauren Heil, Kathryn Skelton, Carole Skelton; great-grandchildren, Derek Simpson, Donovan Simpson and Spencer Berumen; twin sister, Dona Mehlhaff of Houston, Texas; brother, James Heil of Lodi and sisters, Ella Johnson of Cove, AR and Bertha Shehorn of Salinas, CA. He was loved and will be missed by all. Don was preceded in death by parents, Louis and Carrie; brother, Arthur and sisters, Clara, Lenore and Helen. A memorial service in Don's honor will be held Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Lodi. Visitation will begin Monday at 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, continuing Tuesday from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM at Lodi Funeral Home. Committal will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Alzheimers Aid Society of Northern California, 105 S. Washington St., Lodi, CA 95240 or First Baptist Building Fund, 267 N. Mills Ave., Lodi, CA 95242.