Third Generation

41. Bruce Charles HEILMAN was born on 7 November 1916 in Norwalk, Monroe County, WI.^16,19 He appeared in the census in 1930 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁵ He died on 30 September 2006 at the age of 89 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁹

Obituary Notes: "Bruce C. Heilman, 89, of Tomah, died Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006, at Close to Home. He was born Nov. 7, 1916, to Adolph and Cecelia (Gould) Heilman in the town of Norwalk. He was united in marriage to Eldora Kelk on June 19, 1937, in Tomah. She preceded him in death on Jan. 25, 2006. They were blessed with 68 years of marriage.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran, member of the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201 and a member of the firing squad, and a member of the La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chebaux Monroe County Voiture 804 Wisconsin. He was a member of the Tomah Fire Dept. for over 50 years. Bruce owned and operated the 7-Up Bottling Co. of Tomah along with his father-in-law George Kelk and brother-in-law Harvard Protz. His three children and their classmates enjoyed free “pop” every school year for 18 years.

He is survived by two daughters, Jean Potter of Green Bay, and Janice Hoernke of Middleton; eight grandchildren, Mike (Heather) Heilman, Lance (special friend Pam) Heilman, Christopher (Maryanne) Potter, Carrie Potter, Jodie (Tim) Olejniczak, Craig (Sandy) Hoernke, Mark (special friend Jackie) Hoernke, Nick (fianceé Christine) Hoernke; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard “Doc,” and a sister, Estelle (Bob) Stevens; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Jim, and a beloved great-granddaughter, Rachael, three brothers and four sisters.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah. Pastor Edwin Stigen officiated. Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery with military honors by Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201. Relatives and friends called at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home on Monday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service."

Bruce was buried on 3 October 2006 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁹ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Bruce Charles HEILMAN and Eldora G. KELK were married on 19 June 1937 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁹ Eldora G. KELK, daughter of George William KELK and Elizabeth Martha GIESLER, was born on 9 November 1919 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI.^15,19 She appeared in the census in 1930 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁵ She graduated in 1937 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁴ from Tomah High School. Eldora died on 25 January 2006 at the age of 86 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁹

Obituary Notes: "Eldora G. Heilman (nee Kelk), 86, of Tomah, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, at Tomah Memorial Hospital with her family at her side. She was born Nov. 9, 1919, in Milwaukee.

She was united in marriage to Bruce Heilman on June 19, 1937, at Tomah. They shared 68 years together. She was a member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Ladies Auxiliary for 50 years. Eldora loved to play cards, especially bridge, and was an avid reader. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her husband, Bruce; two daughters, Jean Potter of Green Bay and Janice Hoernke of Middleton; eight grandchildren, Mike (Heather) Heilman, Lance (special friend Pam) Heilman, Christopher (Maryanne) Potter, Carrie Potter, Jodie (Tim) Olejniczak, Craig (Sandy) Hoernke, Mark (special friend Jackie) Hoernke, Nick (fiancee Christine) Hoernke; 10 great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Bev Heilman; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Elizabeth Kelk; her son, Jim; her twin sister, Elvora Protz, and a brother-in-law, Harvard Protz, and her beloved great-granddaughter, Rachael.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor Phillip M. Enderle will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery at Tomah."

Bruce Charles HEILMAN and Eldora G. KELK had the following children: