Paul Heitz

PAUL W. HEITZ, 72 FREEPORT - Paul W. Heitz, 72, of Freeport, IL died Saturday March 21, 2015 of a heart attack. He was born February 21, 1943 in Chicago, IL the son of William and Virginia (Major) Heitz. Paul graduated from Notre Dame High School in Niles, IL. He married Joann (Posthumus) Heitz March 29, 1968 in Portage, MI. He started early in the computer industry in Chicago as a data processor. He worked for Gould (Chicago and Allentown, PA) and Thermos (Freeport, IL) before retiring in 2009 from Landstar Inway in Rockford. Paul enjoyed time with his family and staying active. Spending time with his beloved grandchildren was his favorite activity. He was a stock car driver in his younger years racing at various Chicagoland area tracks and competed in the last stock car race held inside Soldier Field. He came out of racing retirement for one race in the 4-cylinder class in his early 60's at Freeport Raceway Park. When his children began BMX bike racing he volunteered weekly at Kutztown Rad Track (PA), Rockford BMX (IL), and Walworth Indoor BMX (WI). Paul filmed soccer games and football games for Freeport High School; continuing to film football games for nearly 15 years after his sons graduated. He spent nearly every day in his retirement cycling and when the weather was unfavorable, at the YMCA exercising. His neighbor and retirement riding partner was Chuck Beichel. Paul always recorded the miles he rode and had his best year in 2010 logging 10,139 miles in 207 days. Paul is survived by his wife of 46 years, Joann; two children, Zack (Lindsay) Heitz of Freeport, IL; Zain (Katie) Heitz of Oregon, WI; grandchildren Sophia, Ameliah, Greyson, and Jaxon; two brothers, Joe Heitz of Boise, ID, John Heitz of the Phillipines, one sister Susi (Charlie) Fillinger of Boca Raton, FL, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Paul was preceded in death by his parents William Heitz and Virginia Heitz. A celebration of Paul's life will be held Wednesday, March 25th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. Cremation rites will be accorded. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign his online guestbook and to share memories.