Paul Heidebrecht, age 67, a resident of West Chicago, IL, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, suddenly at home. He was born May 30, 1950 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to Henry and Mary Heidebrecht.

Paul grew up in a Mennonite immigrant family in Winnipeg and graduated from the University of Winnipeg. He went on to earn a Master's Degree at Wheaton Graduate School and a PhD. from the University of IL, Champaign-Urbana. He met Priscilla Baker at a Christian Boy's Camp in Northern Michigan. They were married on August 28, 1971. He worked for Christian Service Brigade as a magazine editor and publisher. From 1990 until 2001, he worked as Associate Pastor at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Warrenville, during which time he served as the Moderator for the General Assembly of the denomination in 2005. He then served as Executive Director for Christian Leaders for Africa, traveling to Kenya. In 2012, he took a pastorate at the Calgary Community Reformed Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Most recently he was Stated Clerk of Rivers and Lakes Presbytery for the E.P.C. denomination. He was much loved and respected in the local church, where he served, and as a statesman for the denomination.

He was passionate about God's creation. He volunteered at the DuPage County Forest Preserve and for Fermilab, doing prairie restoration and monitoring Bluebird nests. He was an avid reader, a coffee connoisseur, conservationist, and loved outdoor activities, puzzles and the Chicago Blackhawks. He was a student of history and journaled daily on whatever he was reading. He authored several books and periodicals. Recently, he was a contributing editor to the Africa Study Bible. Most importantly, he was known by all as a man who loved the Lord and His Church.

He is survived by his wife, Priscilla Heidebrecht, three children, Kecia Heidebrecht of Chicago, Caleb (Elisabeth) Heidebrecht of Brooklyn, NY, and Andrew (Katina) Heidebrecht of Salt Lake City, UT, and four grandchildren, Jeremiah, Eliza, Mark and Christopher Lucas. He is also survived by eight siblings, Ruth (Ernie) Epp, Robert (Melinda) Heidebrecht, Arthur (Shirley) Heidebrecht, Marlies (Tony) Roziere, Randy Heidebrecht, Karen (Doug) McGregor, Chris (Ruth) Heidebrecht and Tammy (Ed) Harris and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 from 10:00 until 11:45 a.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Rd., Warrenville, IL 60555, where a funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Immanuel Presbyterian Church.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.