02/02/2018

Obituary for the Rev. James Heil

The Reverend James H. Heil of Groveport joined the Church Triumphant on January 31, 2018. He was born March 26, 1938, in Columbus to Homer and Ethel (Hess) Heil, who predeceased him.

Jim grew up in Columbus, was an Eagle Scout, and graduated from West High School in 1956. He attended Wittenberg University in Springfield and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1960. He attended Hamma Divinity School at Wittenberg, including a year of internship at First English Lutheran in Columbus, and received his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1964.

After ordination, Pr. Heil served Ohio Lutheran congregations of St. Luke’s, North Baltimore; St. Stephen, Sylvania (Congregational Developer and First Pastor); Augsburg, Toledo (Associate); St. Peter’s, Lancaster; and Zion, Groveport. During retirement he served as Interim Pastor at Grace, Westerville and First English, Columbus where he remained a member.

Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn (Heinz) Heil; son David (Monica) and grandchildren Alex and Eleanor; daughter Karen (Ron) Traikovich; brother The Reverend Tom (Julie) Heil; sister-in-law Betty (Glenn) Miller; brother-in-law John (Kathy) Heinz; and nieces and nephews Susan McDowell, Sarah Heil, Jamie McDowell, and Jason Heil.

Visitation will be on Monday, February 5, from 4–7 p.m. at the Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, 650 West Waterloo Street, Canal Winchester. Service will be on Tuesday, February 6, at 1 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church, 1015 East Main Street, Columbus.

Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Seminary (2199 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43209) or the Foundation to Eradicate Duchenne (P.O. Box 2371, Alexandria, Virginia, 22301).

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