Wayne J. Heberer

1937 - 2013

Wayne Heberer

Wayne J. Heberer, 76, of Belleville, Ill., born May 6, 1937, in Belleville, Ill., died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Mo., as the result of a farming accident.

Wayne attended the University of Illinois, was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, and graduated in 1959 with high honors and a bachelor of science degree in animal science. A grain and livestock farmer for many years, he was the National Outstanding Young Farmer of 1971 and a Prairie Farmer Master Farmer in 1980. He was a member of the Outstanding Farmer Association, a past president of the Illinois Pork Producers, and a former member and leader of the Turkey Hill 4-H Club.

Mr. Heberer was a lifelong member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Freeburg, Ill., and a past president of the church council. He was a former SIU Board of Trustees member, a former board member of First National Bank of Belleville/Magna Bank, and a past master and lifelong member of Turkey Hill Grange. He was known as the "bike-man" to many Freeburg area kids.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Mildred, nee Helms, Heberer; a sister, Jeanine Rettig; and a sister-in-law, Ima Jean Heberer.

Surviving are his wife of almost 56 years, Julia A., nee Walsh, Heberer, whom he married on Oct. 13, 1957; a daughter, Kathy (Dale) Lickenbrock of Freeburg, Ill.; a son, Kent (Kristine) Heberer of Belleville, Ill.; five grandchildren, Kyle Lickenbrock (Shannon Vallowe), Jessica Lickenbrock (fiance, Doug Zerjal), Kaitlin Heberer, Kody Heberer, and Kassidy Heberer; his brother, Verlan Heberer of Belleville, Ill.; three brothers-in-law, Earl Rettig of Lake Zurich, Ill., and James Walsh and Albert "Rusty" (Pat) Walsh, both of Carmi, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Joy (Robert) Holloway of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Freeburg, Ill., to Turkey Hill Grange, or to the FFA (Future Farmers of America) at Freeburg High School. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, 2013, and 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Freeburg, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Freeburg, Ill., with the Rev. Earl Crecelius officiating. Burial will follow at Green Mount Protestant Cemetery, Belleville, Ill.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.