James L. Heiniger went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 29, 2012. He was 82. Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years – beloved Laura L. Heiniger, their five children: Laura Fredrickson (Dwight), Jim Heiniger (Jackie), Steve Heiniger (Mary), Jonathan Heiniger (Leanne), Joel Heiniger (Cynthia); twenty grandchildren: David (Sarah), Jennifer Moreland (Jake), Abigail, Daniel, Christopher (Allie), Julie, Evy Porter (Tim), Olivia, Paul, Jim, Rachael, Andrew, Jack, Sophia, Peter, Erik, Nicole, Jaclyn, Ava, Heidi; five great-grandchildren: Jackson, Calvin, Graysen, Bear, Evin; 1 sister: Ruth Schroeder; numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Western Springs Baptist Church, 4475 Wolf Road, Western Springs, on Tuesday evening, July 31 from 4 PM until 8 PM. The funeral service will be held at Western Springs Baptist Church on Wednesday morning, August 1, at 10 AM.
Jim was born in Chicago on December 7, 1929, to Albert Edward Heiniger and Myrtle (Lindgren) Heiniger. His family of 2 brothers and 4 sisters lived in Niles Center (now Skokie), where he attended Lincoln School and Niles Township High School. At Niles, Jim was a standout athlete: football, basketball, track. He attended Bradley University on a football scholarship where he played all four years: 1948-1952. He was inducted into the Bradley University Hall of Fame in 1959. Upon graduation, Jim served in the Army from 1952-1954, stationed primarily in Okinawa. He married Laura L. Gothard on June 17, 1955, in La Grange, IL. In Hickory Corners, Michigan, both Jim and Laura taught school and worked on their Masters' degrees. Jim obtained his M.A. from Western Michigan University. Jim and Laura had the first two of their five children in central Michigan. In 1958, they returned to Skokie, where Jim began to teach and coach at his alma mater: Niles Township High School. In 1960, they moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where Jim completed coursework for a Ph.D. in Physical Education. Jim then succeeded Harold (Ike) Isaacson as athletic director at Niles. The growing township expanded with Niles West High School and Niles North High School, and Jim took on the additional responsibilities of athletic director for the new schools. Jim was president of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association in 1972. During those years, 3 more sons were born. In 1975, Jim and Laura moved with their five children to Oak Brook. He joined the staff of the Institute in Basic Life Principles and continued to work there for 37 years.
Jim's life was a model of devotion to Jesus Christ for everyone who ever knew him. He loved the Lord with all his heart, and he loved his neighbors as himself. He was completely devoted to the truth and to speaking the truth in love, but it was even more characteristic for Jim to serve than it was for him to speak. For example, although he was such a capable administrator that he quickly reached the top of his profession, he willingly stepped away from it for the sake of devoting more focused attention to his family. Rather than running the athletic department of a large high school, he chose to attend the ball games that his own children were playing in and the track meets they were competing in. Rather than preparing the budget for a high school athletic department, he chose to humbly serve in a Christian ministry. Throughout his life, Jim served in the local church and in Christian ministries, including the Navigators on the campus at Bradley University, Gull Lake Bible and Missionary Conference, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Skokie Valley Baptist Church, Winnetka Bible Church, and Hinsdale Baptist Church. Over the course of the last 37 years, Jim has been an inspiration to all who have worked under him and with him at the Institute.
As a suitor, Jim wrote a letter to Laura every day during his 2-year tour of duty. As a husband for 57 years, Jim wrote Laura a letter full of Scriptural encouragement almost every morning of their married life. As in every area of his life, he set the bar very high for all who knew him. It was clear to everyone that Jim adored Laura.
As a father, it was clear to everyone that Jim was completely committed to his children. His legacy to them, as to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, is one full of faith, hope and love. He named each one in prayer every morning for as long as he was able.
Jim used God's gifts – athletic prowess, administrative excellence, unflagging energy – to put into practice the admonition of the Apostle Paul: 'Serve one another humbly, in love.'
Jim Heiniger will be greatly missed, and his life will continue to inspire future generations.