Obituaries

Donald Gale Heigle

Photo of Donald Gale Heigle
On June 15, 2018, "Jim" Donald Gale Heigle left this world to reunite with the love of his life, Hazel Lee Summers Heigle. Jim or "Jimmy" as his Grandpa Heigle would call him was born in Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas on November 8, 1927 to parents Burnis "Bo" Heigle and Leona Opal Fredricks Heigle. He then became big brother to Franklin "Buddy" Heigle and Viola Fern Heigle Ferguson. At age 10 he was working a long side his father earning a grown man's wages to help support the family. Age 17, he lost his Mother tragically to leukemia and helped raise his younger siblings. He joined the army at age 18 and served our country in World War II in Korea. At age 20 he and Hazel Lee Summers married on August 1, 1948. Together they traveled from state to state working the pipeline. They were blessed with a son, Samuel Lee and 11 months later another son, James Donald. With two boys in tote they continued to travel with the pipelines which lead them to Ameron Pipe Company in Phoenix, Arizona. Soon after, a daughter, Martha Gail was born. Jim was featured on the front page of the Phoenix Gazette Newspaper on Labor Day 1962 and later became the highest paid Operating Engineer of the Southwest at the time. In 1967, after the difficult birth of their daughter, Sandra Gene, Jim's faith grew greater in Christ and humanity. Jim and Hazel were able to retire in 1990 after 33 years and moved back to Heber Springs, Arkansas, enjoying life on the mountain and many hours on his tractor, "surveying his kingdom". Jim said goodbye to Hazel Lee in May of 2009 after 61 years of marriage. Martha Gail lived with him and cared for him since then. Jim is survived by his children, Samuel Lee Heigle, Phoenix, Ariz., James Donald Heigle (Ann), Augusta, Ga. Martha Gail Richmond (Andy), Heber Springs, Ark., Sandra Gene Marin (David) Glendale, Ariz.; grandchildren: Brandy Dawn Moyer, Huntington, Pa., Nathan Scott Heigle, Atlanta, Ga., Garrett Michael Jones, Phoenix, Ariz., Brayden Daniel Marin and Makayla Noelle Marin, Glendale Ariz.; great-grandchild: Tiffany Hazel Moyer, Huntington, Pa. Special Family friend Hugh Starkey, Heber Springs, Ark. Jim Heigle was a loving husband, great Dad, loyal friend, hard worker and good man. He is loved and missed by many. Private family services will be held at a later date. Special thanks to Tammy, Ester, Nancy and all the caregivers at Southridge Rehab Center. www.olmstead.cc.

Published June 20, 2018

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