Milton W. Milt Heilman

WASHINGTON?Milton W. ("Milt") Heilman, 80, of Washington passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior at 10:40 p.m., Wednesday, January 21 at OSF Medical Center in Peoria. Milt was born to Arthur and Hazel (Barrow) Heilman on July 26, 1934 in Peoria. He married Ruth Madlinger on Sept. 10, 1960 in Washington, IL. Ruth survives. Also surviving are two sons, Mark (Diana) Heilman of Fort Worth, TX and Curtis (Jackie) Heilman of Washburn, IL; five grandchildren, Grant Heilman, Meredith (Eric) Cornell, Drew Heilman, Gary Heilman and Beth Heilman; two sisters, Arta Anderson of Rio Rancho, NM and Lela Smith of Peoria and one great granddaughter, Zea Cornell. He was preceded in death by his parents. Collecting and restoring antique tractors was one of his hobbies and he was a member of Central Illinois Farm Heritage Tractor Club. He was a 1952 graduate of Washington Community High School. Milt had been an active farmer and 4-H leader. Later he owned Sunrise Poultry Farm, and Heilman Excavating and Septic Services in Washington, and developed Heilman Commercial Park. He had been an active member of Grace Bible Church in Washington for over 40 years, holding various leadership positions. There he mentored many young men through the Christian Service Brigade ministry. He and Ruth more recently attend Bay View Baptist Church at Washington. Since 1976, Milt was an active member of Gideon?s International serving in the Peoria East Camp. He delighted in the distribution of God?s Word at local schools and colleges around Illinois. He especially enjoyed speaking of the Gideon ministry in church reports. He would desire an unbroken circle of family and friends in glory. Memorial donations are requested to Gideon?s International, Box 272, Metamora, IL 61548 or Bay View Baptist Church at 22648 Grosenbach Rd, Washington, IL 61571. Services for Milt will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015 at Bay View Baptist Church with Pastor Keith Thibo officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memory Gardens south of Washington. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Mason-White Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the church.