Donald Lee Heilman
September 17, 1938 ~ April 16, 2004
Donald Lee “Speedy” Heilman, 65, of Weirton, a devoted family man and Papa, died Friday, April 16, 2004, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born September 17, 1938 in Steubenville, OH, a son of the late Howard W. and Margaretta (Muldoon) Heilman.
Donald retired with 34 years of service from the Weirton Steel Tin Mill where he worked as a carpenter.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Weirton Steel 25 Year Club, and the Weirton Steel Basketball League where he played on many championship teams. Donald was a former member of the Dip-N-Dive Square Dance Club of Steubenville, OH, and Spinning Gears Square Dancing Group of Weirton. He also served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Donald is survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda Anne (Riddle) Heilman of Weirton, whom he married December 16, 1961; three sons, Mark A. Heilman and his wife Kristine of Weirton, David M. Heilman and his wife Beth of Hillsboro, NC, and Kevin L. Heilman and his wife Michelle of Wheeling, WV; one daughter, Donna L. Moore and her husband David of Weirton; one sister, Rosemary Paul and her husband George, Jr. of Weirton; seven grandchildren, Jakob C. Heilman, Emilee J. Heilman, Colin T. Heilman, Alyssa M. Heilman, Mackenzie L. Moore, Sarah J. Heilman, and Joshua S. Heilman; and cousin, Phyllis Fullum, and her husband Earl.
Visitation will be 7-9 PM Monday and 2-4 & 7-9 PM Tuesday at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton. Additional visitation will be from 12 Noon until time of funeral service at 1PM Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church, Weirton. Rev. Timothy Allen will preside. Interment will follow at Highland Hills Memorial Gardens, Follansbee, WV.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the First United Methodist Church, 3301 West Street, Weirton, WV 26062 or to Valley Hospice, 380 Summit Avenue, Steubenville, OH 43952. Share tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com.
Dad I Love You! You are the greatest Dad “Friend” that anyone could have. I appreciate all things that you taught me through life – knowledge, wisdom, love, and in the last few days incredible strength. I can never forget. In return, I promise to take care of my children and teach my children in a way that will make you proud. Remember Dad, you are always in my heart and on my mind. Kevin
heilman family, i played basketball in league with speedy and also worked in tin mill with him. he was the best sportmanship man i ever knew. he always congratulated you no matter what team u were on sorry to hear of your loss . my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. sincerely jerry hamill
To the Heilmans, I never had the pleasure of meeting Don in person but I certainly enjoyed playing euchre with him these past few years at playsite.com. He taught me how to be a better euchre player. Even when I kept making the same mistakes, he had alot of patience and just kept reminding me of the right way to play. I know he loved his family and was very proud of his children and their accomplishments. And how he loved his grandchildren! I enjoyed his stories about them between games while we waited for a new game to start. He told me more than once that the Lord had blessed him with a Godly woman and that she was the best wife and mother a man could ask for! He also told me that if you have a loving spouse and family, you have everything. He knew what really mattered in life. How right he was! I still play cards late at night, but miss him sorely. May the Lords presence and peace sustain you in the weeks and months to come. Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers, Dave & Cindy Buell
Dad, A great Father, Friend, and Papa, you will be dearly missed. You provided so much for our family–but the values you taught to your children will provide your greatest legacy. Love, courage, discipline, and integrity are all qualities I admire and attribute to you. The incredible strength and compassion you displayed these last few weeks only strengthened my respect for you as a great man. You will continue to be a strong presence in my family as I pass on to your grandchildren all you taught me, because “family comes first.” I love you, Dad. Mark
Dear Linda and the rest of Don’s family.. I was sorry to read about Don’s passing.. We grew up together and then drifted apart.. After my wife Dee died I moved away and have remarried.. I do know some of the pain that all of you are going through.. I’m sorry I can’t be there to give you my condolences in person.. All of you will be in my thoughts… Jim
Linda & Family: My thoughts are with you during this time of sorrow. The death of a loved one is never easy. I, and the choir, have been praying for you these past months, and hope His presence will sustain and comfort you. You remain in my prayers. Lucille
May I extend my condolences for your family’s loss. The Lord’s arms are wrapped around you & yours always & forever.
bless him and i am so sad sorry all xoxoxoxoxo
Oh how blessed we have been. It is rare to have a had such a role model as you in our lives. It didn’t take long being around your family for me to realize the bond you all have. That bond is strong because of you. You taught your family values like integrity, love and family comes first. You gave me an awesome husband whom I am so thankful for everyday. He is who he is because of you and Linda. He is so proud of you. He always says if we can do as good of a job raising our kids as you and Linda have done, then we will be doing okay. Although you never seemed to own up to it, you were a great father and papa. We love you and miss you. Blondie and Sully say “easy greasy papa!”
Dear Linda and family, I know that this has been a long ordeal for you and hope that you now feel relief that Donnie is at rest with God. I have been praying for all of you and hope that you can feel the love others have for you through the many prayers offered on your behalf. Though we do not see you often, Donnie and Linda are always one of the cousins. I am sorry that I will not be able to share this in person. Jimmy, Patti, and I are taking care of my dad and I just left Weirton for a couple of days at home. May God grant you comfort and peace. Nancy
TO MY DAD The strongest man I’ll ever know. I still hear the words you said to us over and over, “Family is first! Bother’s and sister’s should love each other not fight! No one loves you like your parents!(because of MacKenzie, I now understand)” and towards the end “Don’t cry for me, I’ve had a good life with a wonderful family.” Daddy, I cry now, not for you, but for the times we wont have, for the loneliness mom will have and for the hugs your Nunu wont get from her favorite dude. I will truely miss seeing the joy on your face when your granchildren enter the room and the twinkle in your eye when you are about to be ornery. I love you! I miss you! I’m glad you are at peace!
15 years ago I met your daughter and fell in love. I never knew at that time that I would be joining such a loving family. I now know that I have been blessed to be apart of your family. You have allways been there for us and offered your guidance. I will miss seeing our daughter running into your arms yelling “papa”. Don thank you for sharing your daughter,family, and your values with me. You are the greatest father-in-law that anyone could ask for. I will miss you!! We will miss you!! Everyone will miss you!! Dave
Those who bloom in the hearts of others never fade away….. May you find strength in your memories.. God Bless you and your families.
Don, I have been blessed to have had you in my life. You welcomed me into your family with open arms and always loved me. You instilled such wonderful values into your children. I am so lucky to be married to your son Mark. You taught him the importance of family and we hope that we are able to pass that on to our sons, your grandsons. I am truly glad that you are at peace now and know that you are looking down on us and guiding us. The tears that I shed now are not for me, but for the time that my sons will miss with you and all the wonderful things that you had to teach them and share with them. I will miss you and they will too. Jakob and Colin say see you later alligator, after while crocodile. We will look for you in the funny papers! Love, Kristine
Dad: Thank you for being such a good father. You and Mom have given us a great example to follow. I hope I can be as good of a Father as you. Thank you for loving our family so much. I am proud that you are my Father. We will miss you but are happy knowing you are finally at peace. I know you worried about me making it home. Well, I made it and am so happy I decided to come to say good bye. Alyssa asked if you were sleeping with God now. I said, “Yes.” She replied, “That’s good because God loves us.” Well, we love you and we will miss you. Love, David
Donna and Dave. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Hold on to the memories and look forward to seeing him later in the future and he will never be far he will guide you. God Bless you and your family during this time. Denise
Linda and Family, I had heard that Don was ill, I have prayed his comfort and God’s peace. I continue to pray that God keeps you enfolded in his loving, comforting arms. My condolences. Jeanie McHenry
Heilman family, I’m very sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sorry for your loss. The nursing staff in the Emergency Department at WVUH are thinking of you.