James "Lefty" Heilman
December 27, 1928 ~ April 25, 2004
James 'Lefty' Heilman, 75, of Weirton passed away Sunday April 25, 2004 at his residence. He was born December 27, 1928 in Holidays Cove, WV, the son of the late William and Hildegard Murray Heilman.
Lefty retired from the Weirton Steel Co. where he had 45 years of service as a fuel man in the Tin Mill. He was a member of the Weirton Knights of Columbus, the 25 year club of Weirton Steel, and St Paul Roman Catholic Church. He served his country during the Korean Conflict in the US Air Force.
Lefty is survived by his wife Kathryn Rinehart Heilman of Weirton, son James W. Heilman II of Weirton, daughters Patti Heilman of Pittsburgh, Nancy Ferrari and her husband Norman of Morgantown, WV, and brother Richard Heilman of Weirton, WV. He has two grandchildren Elizabeth and Nicholas Ferrari of Morgantown, WV.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main St, Weirton, WV where a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 7 PM in the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10:30 AM at St Paul’s Church, Weirton.
Interment will be at St Paul Cemetery, Weirton, WV
Memorial contributions can be made to the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund, Cove Hill Rd, Weirton, WV 26062 or St Paul’s Catholic Church, 140 Walnut St, Weirton, WV 26062
Share tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com
Dear Kitty, Patti, Nancy Jimmy & family, We were very sorry to hear about the passing of Lefty. You are in our thoughts & prayers at this sad hour. Know that he is at peace now & will not suffer any more. God Bless. Love, Alex & Nancy
Nancy, Norman, Patti…I’m so sorry for your loss. Please let me know if I may be of any assistance. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family members during this difficult time.
Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss. God Bless your family and keep you strong through this most difficult time. Cling to your memories. Love Patti
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time
Norm, Martha and my thoughts and prayers are with you and Nancy. God Bless.
Dear Heilman Family: My thoughts and prayers are with each of you during your time of loss. Love, Mary Beth (Vandruff) Fries
Nancy and Dr. Ferrari – My sincere regret for the sorrow with which you are dealing right now. Losing a father is a special pain for a daughter to experience. My best to you and your family in the days ahead.
Nancy, Norman, and family; It is with deep sympathy that I send my condolences to you during this time of grief. I know how you must be feeling and my prayers and thoughts are with you. Life never prepares you for the loss of a loved one, just know that there are those that care for you that are here whenever you need us. Much love and sympathy – Beth Ann
Dear Dr. and Mrs. Ferrari and family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Hopefully “Lefty” is in a better place. I’m sure he has left you all with some great memories and that you can remember these fondly in his absence. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Sincerely, julie balch
The nursing and front desk staffs of Pediatric and Adolescent Group Practice and Pediatric Specialties send our sincere condolences to the family.
Dear Kitty, Nancy, Patti and Jimmy We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Lefty was one of a kind – he was like a member of our family – always there for help and support. He was a good man and he will always be remembered fondly. We have so many wonderful memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless Sincerely, Jerry & Maria Dresel and family
Dear Nancy,Norm,Elizabeth and Nick, Our prayers and sympathy are with each of you during this painful time of losing a “loved one”. This morning,Father Dean celebrated our 7:00am Mass for your father and each member of your family.The school community prayed at 8:45 for all of you. May Our dear Lord grant each of you His Peace and Love. Saint Francis School Community
Dear Dr & Mrs. Ferrari, Elizabeth and Nick. I’m very sorry for your loss, and I wish you all the best. Very truly yours, Mac
Dear Kathryn, Where does one begin to express my admiration for your dear husband and my friend. I worked in the fuel dept. & refrigeration dept. for nearly 32 years. When I was a young apprentice in the tin mill fuel dept.,he helped me many times when I was “moved up” to be an atmosphere machine operator. At the time, I was just a helper but he took the time & effort to help not only me but anyone who was in doubt of what to do. I’ll never forget when an atmosphere machine went down due to a leak of solution, he came to my aid during his lunch break. Nobody else seemed to be concerned.If the situation was not addressed, it would have cost Weirton Steel hundreds of thousands of dollars in “blue steel” which would have allowed oxygen to enter the anneal gasses. I also believe he would have been the best steward the fuel dept. ever had! I was also a K of C brother to him. I am a relative through marriage via the Longacres (Jimmy). His daughter (Barbara) is my aunt. Your husband held me under his wing to learn the ropes of the job. He was a gentle and kind man who I am very proud to have known. You are blessed to be the mother of his children.
Dear Kitty and Family, Terry and I are saddened this evening as we have read of Lefty’s passing. We will always remember his sense of humor, his stories, and all the joy his family brought him. We have been praying for him and know that he suffered greatly. May it comfort you to know that we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Jan and Terry
KITTY,JAMES,PATTI, NANCY, SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. HE WAS ALWAYS ONE OF MY DADS BIGGEST BOOSTERS AND I REMEMBER HIM PLAYING BASEBALL FOR MY DAD. WHAT A WONDERFUL MAN. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU. SINCERELY, CARL AND JERRY HAMILL
Mrs. Ferrari, I am truely sorry for your loss. You, Dr. Ferrari, Elizabeth, and Nick are in my thoughts and prayers. With Love, Jessica
Thoughts and prayers from Reno, NV. Sincerely, Eric B Maher
Dear Kitty, So very sorry to learn of your ‘Lefty’s’ death. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Pat Austin
Nancy: So sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing. My deepest regrets to you and your family.