W. Ray Heilwagen

W. Ray Heilwagen, 85, of Mexico, died at 6:15 a.m., Saturday, April 4, 2009, at Harry S Truman memorial Hospital, Columbia.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2009, at 2 p.m., at Pickering Funeral Home in Mexico with Fr. John Schmitz officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from noon until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Brendan Cemetery.

Mr. Heilwagen was born on Apr. 20, 1923, in Hannibal, the son of Walter Raymond and Myrle Helbing Heilwagen. On Nov. 3, 1946, in Hannibal, he married Dorothy J. Jackson, who preceded him in death on Feb. 27, 2003. He served in the US Army, 79th Infantry during World War II, and worked as a switchman for Southwestern Bell until he retired.

He was a member of Golden K Kiwanis, the Communication Workers of America, and St. Brendan Catholic Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and reading.

Survivors include four daughters, Kristen Sudbrock, Columbia, Dee Dee Stratman, Jefferson City, Tammy Martin and husband Terry, Mexico, and Judy Pursifull and husband Mike, Fulton; six grandchildren, Leslie Stratman, Omaha, Neb., Lance Stratman, Jefferson City, Jake Lederle, USMC, Camp Pendleton, Calif., Kayla Blank, Columbia, Stephen Scharthi, USAF, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and RaeAnna Pursifull, Fulton.

In addition to his wife, three sons, Gary Ray, Don Wayne and Jeffrey Lee, preceded him in death.

Memorials may be made to the Veterans Honor Flight. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.