The Life and Times of Chuck Heimlich (aka “Bent Nail”) – Son, Father, Brother, Grandfather, Friend
Born at home in Cardington, Ohio on August 26, 1930 to Frank and Imogene Heimlich-the oldest of 3 sons, brother to Donald and Carroll.
Called to service in heaven (apparently, there was a shortage of skilled carpenters…) July 28, 2016.
During his lifetime, Chuck witnessed changes that ranged from the use of threshing machines pulled by horses to high tech combines, and from hand written letters to Facebook. His love of farming combined with a keen interest in learning led him to The Ohio State University where he enrolled briefly to study his first love of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. He left school to marry his second love, Margaret Joyce Howald, on Nov 26, 1950 – in spite of Mother Nature doing her best to keep everyone away with the worst blizzard of the year! They later honeymooned in New York City, but the bright lights of big city living held little interest for Chuck and Margaret. The young couple settled in to farm life, and over the next few years they celebrated the addition of 5 children -Nick, Mark, Kathleen (Taylor), Beth (Carrier), and Lisa. In later years the family expanded to include 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Skilled as a farmer, Chuck worked on the Heimlich family farm until the challenges of supporting a family of seven led him to take on a position as shift manager for the L & K Restaurant in Delaware, OH. In April 1965 Mother Nature threw another curve at Chuck and Margaret with a tornado that ravaged the area damaging their home. Chuck turned back to the carpentry skills passed to him by his grandfather, Harry Strine, to repair the family home which still represents the heart of his family to this day. From that day forward, Chuck never looked back devoting his time and talents to home and farm building projects for friends, neighbors and those to whom he was referred. He was never at a loss for work because his work spoke for itself. Like him, it was true and level.
Chuck was always up for an adventure and liked to travel, especially if it meant seeing new places. So in 1969, what could be more adventurous than packing all 5 kids and Margaret into a 9 passenger station wagon pulling a tent trailer and setting off for a trip of a lifetime; there were likely moments during that trip where it felt like a lifetime, with 6 backseat drivers! Chuck led his band of aspiring pioneers on a voyage through the western states during which they visited every National Park within 100 miles of their route, because they needed to be seen. That love of travel and adventure was a legacy that Chuck and Margaret passed along to all of their children.
Chuck also had a heart and ear for a tune. He loved to sing in harmony (“daddy sang bass”), and was in turn blessed by the gift of blending voices in praise. He also had a great appreciation for the baying sound of a good hunting dog tracking a scent and treeing a raccoon in the deep dark of night! It was just a different kind of music to his ears.
Good food? It could only be made better by ice cream. Enough said.
Chuck served his family, his community and his church with equal attention and dedication. His legacy embodies steadfast care and concern of the souls, animals and property entrusted to his care. He loved to be in the natural world and studied it closely for it had much to teach him and for him, in turn, to share with others. He modeled to his children that a promise made was a promise kept, that if you took on a task you finished it, and that any task you engaged in you did it to the best of your ability. He loved much and was much loved. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his family and all who knew him well enough to count him as friend.
Visitation for Chuck will be held Monday, August 1, 2016 at Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home from 4 until 7 PM. A funeral service will be held 11 AM Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Waldo with Pastor Sarah Schaaf officiating. Friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Mayfield Cemetery.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Heimlich Family and online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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