Frank C. Heiple, Jr

Frank C. Heiple, Jr.

April 10, 1923 – July 16, 2015

Frank Crane Heiple, Jr., 92, of Richmond, Minnesota, formerly of Washington, Illinois, passed from death to life on Thursday, July 16, 2015 surrounded by his family in his cabin in Estacada, Oregon.

Born in Peoria of Frank Crane Heiple and Elsie Harlan Danforth, he attended Peoria schools and was attending Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, when WWII broke out. Enlisting in the Army's Aviation Cadet Program, he graduated as a P-47 pilot. While stationed at the Cadet center in San Antonio, Texas, he married his high school sweetheart, Jane Woltzen, on August 15, 1943.

After returning from the service, Frank and Jane moved to the family farm south of Washington, Ill. For more than 50 years they continued to own and operate what became known as the "Four Seasons Farm". During his years in Washington, he was an organizer and director of the Washington State Bank and was a member of the Peoria YMCA and the Y's Mens Club. He served on the Tazewell County Soil Conservation Board and sold seed corn for Sommer Bros. of Pekin. After retiring from farming, he started the Heiple Monument Company.

Frank was a man of strong faith and learned to live his faith through love. He expressed his love for the Lord to many through counsel, hope, and encouragement. Throughout his life, his family remained his focus and joy. He championed the cause of the unborn and successfully fought to erect a monument to aborted babies. Frank's hallmark was bursting into song to the delight of those around him. He loved sharing the stories that made his life meaningful and were a source of both laughter and blessings to all. He was a longtime member of the Evangelical United Methodist church in Washington where he served as a Sunday shool teacher and a youth bible study leader. A Certified Lay Speaker, he was president of the state Brotherhood and a delegate to the General Conference. He served as a Prayer Advocate of the United Methodist Men and was a team member in Lay Witness Missions, Walk to Emmaus, and Cursillo. He was also a trustee of the Otterbein Home for 20 years. After moving to Minnesota, Frank and Jane attended Living Waters Assembly of God in Cold Springs, Minnesota. Frank and Jane retired to Minnesota and built a lake home near Richmond which they used as a gathering place for their family. They wintered at their cabin in Oregon where Frank became a grandfather figure to his many Cambodian friends there. He is survived by four children, Bee G. Evans of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Frank C. (Colette) Heiple III of Estacada, Oregon, Edward W. (Lauren) Heiple of Ithaca, New York, and Judd D. (Bonita) Heiple of East Peoria, Ill; one brother, Kingsbury (Nancy) Heiple of Cleveland, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Seth, Shem, Kerry, Kelly, Kimberly, Katty Bee, Josh, and Julie; and eleven great grandchildren. Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, of 65 years, one daughter-in-law, Virginia Heiple, and a son-in-law, Gerald Evans.

A service to celebrate Frank and Jane's life will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 4 p.m. at the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Washington with Pastors Bob DeBolt and Rev. Dr. Camilla Hempstead officiating. Family will receive friends from 2 – 4 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Cremation rites have been accorded with Mason-White Funeral Home assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be directed to either Soul Purpose Ministries or the charity of the donor's choice.