James Richard Heitger, age 87 of Massillon, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at Rose Lane Health Care Center.

He was born March 24, 1927 in Massillon, the son of the late Leo Francis and Mary Emma (Braun) Heitger.

Jim attended St. Mary School and graduated from Washington High School in 1945.  He served in the US Navy during WWII aboard the escort air craft carrier USS Point Cruz in the Pacific.

He retired from Heitger Funeral Home where he was in partnership with his brother, Robert, for many years.

Jim was a life long member of St. Mary Catholic Church, served on church council and was an usher for 47 years.

He was a 50 year member of Knights of Columbus 3rd degree council #554, Knights of Columbus Founders Club, and the Washington High School Alumni Association.  He was a loving husband, step father, and grandfather.

Jim is survived by wife, Barbara nee Corrigan (Lunkwitz) Heitger; siblings, Robert P. Heitger, Dorothy Sturdevant, Alice Ertle; step children, Tim (Laurie) Lunkwitz, Diane (Dan) Beans, Linda (Charles) Chen; five grandchildren, Kurt Lunkwitz, Christopher Katsaras, Emily Lunkwitz, Paula Chen, and Rick Beans and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by 1st wife, Dorothy (Miller) Heitger; sisters, Edna Kerrigan, Anna Briggs, Irene Gray; brothers, Howard L. Heitger, and Donald Heitger.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 22, 2014 at Heitger Massillon Chapel, 639 First St NE, from 6pm – 8pm with a Knights of Columbus 3rd degree service at 6pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 23, 2014 at St. Mary Catholic Church at 10:30am with Rev. Edward Gretchko and Rev. Raymond Paul celebrants.

Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, in Massillon with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary Memorial Fund, 726 First St NE, Massillon, OH 44646; Washington High School Alumni Association, Room H-214, One Paul Brown Dr. S. E., Massillon, Oh. 44646; or Crossroads Hospice of Northeast Ohio, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr, Suite E, Uniontown, OH 44685.

A special thank you to the employees of Affinity Medical Center, Rose Lane Health Care Center, and Crossroads Hospice.

Please leave condolences at www.heitger.com

Heitger Funeral Service - MASSILLON CHAPEL 330-833-3248

Massillon's Oldest Family Owned Business