Joseph Anthony Heiberger

1925 - 2016

Joseph Anthony Heiberger, age 90, passed away on Saturday, May 21, at his daughter's home in Marietta, Georgia. A visitation will be held at Collier-Butler Funeral Home in Gadsden on Tuesday, May 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a Rosary immediately following, and a funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. James Catholic Church in Gadsden on Wednesday, May 25, at 11:30 a.m., with the Reverend Gerald Holloway, Celebrant.
Cherished and beloved by his family, Joe was born on July 27, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Barbara and Martin Heiberger.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 45 years, Mary Jo Heiberger.
He is survived by his nine children, Barbara Borman (Ed) of Williamsburg, Virginia, Margaret Barrett (Paul) of Marietta, Georgia, Madelaine Beavers (Tim) of Birmingham, Alabama, Carol Tiarsmith (Jerry) of Atlanta, Georgia, Ed Heiberger (Ellen) of Houston, Texas, Joan Johnson (Doug) of Birmingham, Steve Heiberger (Yolanda) of Birmingham, Jeff Heiberger (Cari) of Birmingham, and Christy Spence (Patrick) of Birmingham; grandchildren Staley Beason (Bo), Jennifer Nelson (Brian), Matthew Borman (Carter), A. J. Tiarsmith, Sloan Lee (Justin), Elizabeth Beavers, Ryan Tiarsmith, Will Beavers (Christine), Taylor Johnson (Alice), Rebecca Tiarsmith, Katie Heiberger, Thomas Heiberger, Clare Tiarsmith, Zachary Johnson, Mary Heiberger, Nathan Heiberger, Andrew Heiberger, John Heiberger, Harrison Spence, Matthew Heiberger, Will Spence, and Caroline Spence; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Joe was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theater on the USS Octorara (IX-139). Upon completion of his military service, he obtained a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1951. He then began a long and successful engineering career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Gadsden, serving in several roles with the company before his retirement in 1987.
Joe was a longtime parishioner of St. James Catholic Church in Gadsden and served as a member of the Knights of Columbus. During his retirement years, he also volunteered regularly at the Catholic Center of Concern. He spent his later years in Birmingham, Alabama, as a resident of the Town Village Vestavia Hills senior living community and attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.
Fondly called "D" by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Joe was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. He enjoyed football tailgating with his family and especially treasured yearly summer beach trips with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, a family tradition since 1998.
He will forever and lovingly be remembered for his steadfast faith, devotion to his family, and life of service. The pride of his life was his family, and he left an enduring legacy of love for those who knew and loved him best.
Pallbearers will be his six eldest grandsons, Matthew Borman, A. J. Tiarsmith, William Beavers, Taylor Johnson, Thomas Heiberger, and Zachary Johnson.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Joe's caregivers, Weyatta Cooke and Fallon Mitchell, both of Marietta, Georgia.
Memorial donations in memory of Joe can be made to the American Cancer Society, 1100 Ireland Way, Birmingham, AL 35205.