Mary Louise Heiniger passed away to be with her Lord on Sunday morning January 25, 2009. She was 84 years old. She was never married, but has two living brothers and two living sisters, along with one living sister-in-law: James Heiniger and his wife Laura who reside in Oakbrook, IL, Rev. Paul Heiniger and his wife Beverly who reside in Saegertown, PA, Lois Monk who resides in Maryville, MO, Ruth Schroeder who resides in Wheaton, IL, and Mrs. Jack (Eileen) Heiniger who resides in Stuart, FL. Mary also has many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great grand nieces and nephews who survive her. Mary's parent's Rev. Albert Edward Heiniger and Myrtle Carin Lindgren Heiniger, as well as her brother John (Jack) Lawrence Heinger and her sister Elizabeth Ann Madary all preceeded her in death.
Mary was born in Marne, Michigan, but lived most of her life in Chicago, IL and Minneapolis, MN. She attended Niles Township High School in Skokie, IL, Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago,IL, and Dekalb University, in Dekalb, IL. She wanted to be a missionary to Africa from an early age, so she went to Belgium Congo for one term under Africa Inland Mission. She had to return to the States because of medical reasons, and upon her return she worked at several Chicago institutions including Compassion International. In the 1970's she moved to Minneapolis, MN to be closer to her sister Ruth and worked many years in the Minneapolis Public Library.
When her health began failing, her niece Debra Roberson helped her relocate to the Covenant Home of Chicago. Mary had been a member of the Swedish Covenant Church for many years and their benevolent fund helped care for her there. She had a very good life, but when she could no longer live on her own in their assisted living facility, Debra helped her move to nursing care at Michealson Health Center, part of the Covenant Home of Batavia, IL. The nursing staff at both institutions has been greatly appreciated by her family for the excellent care they have extended to her.
Mary lived a very full, long life, and was a joy and inspiration to many. She rose early, often at 3 or 4:00 am to have her devotions with the Lord to begin each day. One of her favorite hymns was "How Great Thou Art" which was sung and played to her many times by her mother who had a beautiful voice and was a wonderful pianist.
We know she will be missed by many, especially her baby sister Ruth, sister Lois, brother Jim, brother Paul, and Sister-in-Law Eileen. Mary accepted the forgiveness of Jesus and asked Him to be her personal Saviour early in her life and her family knows without a shadow of a doubt that in spite of their sadness here on earth, Mary is in heaven with the Lord this day.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 1 at 3:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton with a visitation prior to the service from 2:30 until 3 p.m. Interment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Moody Bible Institute, 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610 in honor of our beloved Mary Heiniger.