George Russell Heilman

 George Russell Heilman, 89, of Fredericksburg, passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by those who loved him best.

George was born in Fredericksburg on June 26, 1934, to Darwin C. Sr. and Elizabeth (Chaney) Heilman and graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1952.  Always a remarkable athlete in school, he played as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox minor league team, The Braves. 

One June 30, 1956, he married his childhood sweetheart, Jane Ann Sterling and they made their home in Fredericksburg all of their lives.  George spent his career working at Rubbermaid, Inc. and also headed the family farm south of Fredericksburg, which he loved and took great pride in. It was his dream.  He was a faithful and active member of Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, and served his community by being a part of the Fredericksburg Water Board and the East Cemetery Board.  George was also instrumental in starting Little League baseball in Fredericksburg and truly enjoyed coaching and mentoring young athletes. George was a man of strong will and determination but balanced with a sense of humor. He tackled any task at hand and completed it well. If you needed cement poured, wiring completed, or remodeling done, he was the man for the job. He was a "self-made" man who came from humble beginnings, never forgot his roots, and had a deep love of country and family. He will be missed.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Jane Ann. Also, his children Hally Kelly and partner Tim Orr, Ann Marie King, George Kenneth and his wife Angie Heilman, and his grandchildren - the late Patrick Michael Kelly, Andrew Joseph Kelly, Dillon Thomas Kelly, Steven Russell and his wife Ashley King, Logan Paul King, Paige Jenna Cutshall, Faith Sydney Cutshall, Chey Ashley Cutshall; great-grandchildren, Shailynn Ashe Cutshall, Asher Dawn Cutshall, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Patrick, his parents, and sisters and brother, Doris Walker, Darwin Heilman Jr., Marjorie Cramer, Thelma Sharkey and Janice Frambes.

Services will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Fredericksburg with burial following in Fredericksburg East Cemetery.  Friends may call from 12:00 noonuntil time of services.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ohio Hospice Lifecare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691 or lifecarehospice.org/donate.

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