Farewell To A Dedicated Gettysburg Optimist

We regret to inform our members and loyal Optimist Club of Gettysburg supporters that Ronald Heiges, a long time member of the Club, passed away on Friday, January 4, 2014.  Ron was an active Optimist Club member for nearly than 52 years, having joined the Optimist Club of Gettysburg on March 1, 1962.  He led this club and his community in many worthy projects and causes and was the driving force in the building of the Optimist of Gettysburg Amphitheater located at the Gettysburg Recreation Park.  He was active in the Recreation Park for many years and was dedicated to the Optimist mission and a familiar and valued “Friend of Youth”.

In addition to his overt support of the Gettysburg Optimist Club and his community, Ron was well known for his generous sense of humor, welcoming demeanor to all and love of a good time with good friends.  He was a positive and supportive mentor to many of us who were fortunate enough to be a fellow Optimist member and friend.  Our thoughts and prayers are offered to his family on his passing. Ron is survived by his wife Jean, a daughter, Dawn Heiges Hoffman and husband Adam of Gettysburg, three sons, Doug Heiges of Gettysburg, David Heiges and wife Wendy of Gettysburg, and Darryl Heiges and wife Shawn of Arendtsville and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. from St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, with the Rev. Michael Allwein, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10-11:30 a.m. A private interment with full military honors provided by the Adams County Allied Veterans will be held in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg.  The family suggests memorials can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.