Gene Herbert Heiple
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Gene Herbert Heiple, 91, of Gorham, passed away at 7:55 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2011, at his home in Gorham, Ill.
He was born Sept. 6, 1919 in Elkville, Illinois the son of Robert Edward Heiple and Jesse (Williams) Heiple.
Gene married Mary Gregerson of Gorham on Oct. 12, 1940 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. They were married 67 years before she preceded him in death on June 9, 2008.
Upon graduation form Elkville High School Gene worked a short time in the New Kathleen Coal Mine. Upon his marriage he and Mary settled on her family's farm. They spent 67 years together raising grain and livestock, and gardening. They also sold fresh country beef, pork, eggs and vegetables to their many loyal customers in the area. Early in their marriage he also worked as a part time butcher in the local Kroger stores.
Gene was a member of the Jackson County Farm Bureau and served on the Unites States Agricultural Stabilization Committee in Jackson County. Gene was a devoted Christian since his early teen years having attended Elkville Christian Church, Pleasant Hill Christian Church, Murphysboro and last but not least, Crain Baptist Church, near Ava. He taught Sunday School classes for 60 years. He loved the land, his family, friends and his Lord Jesus.
He is survived by one daughter: Beverly and Dan Jarrett of Murphysboro, Ill.; two sons: Robert and Marsha Heiple of Gorham and Louie and Bonnie Heiple of Ava; six grandchildren: Kim and Bryan Barringer, Sherry and Don Morgan all of Murphysboro, Tammy and Michael Little of St. Charles, Mo., Julie and Tim McGinnis of Carbondale, Amber and Ethan Smith of Campbell Hill and Dustin Heiple of Ava; four great grandchildren: Kyle and Logan Barringer and Abby Thies of Murphysboro and Jace Little of St. Charles, Mo.; one niece: Judy Jo and David Phillips of Murphysboro; Charles "Butch" and Linda Graff of Huntingburg, Ind., and Raymond "Keith" and Mickey Graff of Dallas, Tex.; three great nieces; three great nephews; two great grand nieces and two great grand nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Robert, and dear sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Raymond and Louise Graff.
Funeral services were held Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Crain Baptist Church in Ava, Ill. Rev. Gilbert Gee will be officiating. Burial was at Mt. Joy Cemetery in Murphysboro, Ill.
Visitation was on Wednesday, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, Ill. and then on Thursday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Then from 10 to 11 a.m. at Crain Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois Blue West , Mt. Joy Cemetery or Crain Baptist Church.
To sign the guest book online visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net .