Jerry Heilig
Jerry Heilig was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, friend, golfer, referee, coach, mentor and a man who loved the farming community. He leaves behind many loved ones who will miss him greatly.
Jerry Heilig, 81, a resident of Moses Lake since November 1952, passed away at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, Wash., on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
He was born the youngest of two children to Herschel and Marguerite Heilig in Heyburn, Idaho, in 1942. At the age of 10, Jerry's family moved to Moses Lake, Wash. His family was among the first pioneers to come to the Columbia Basin to develop land in the irrigation project. He graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1960.
He was a second-generation potato farmer on his family farm which was established in 1952. Jerry was one of the original founders of the Potato Growers of Washington, also chairman and member of the U.S. Potato Board, where he was known for his outstanding negotiation skills. He worked side by side with his father and passed that same passion of farming on to his son.
Jerry was a husband, dad, grandfather, brother, son, friend, golfer, referee, coach and mentor. He began coaching little league baseball when his sons played and dedicated over a decade to coaching. Jerry was very active in officiating high school football and basketball, college basketball, and the Big Sky Conference. He also loved traveling every chance he could.
One never had to guess about Jerry's opinion on any subject. Whether it was about agriculture, politics or sports, there was never any doubt about where he stood. Jerry was a great man of honesty and integrity.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herschel and Marguerite Heilig, and grandson Kreig Heilig.
He is survived by his wife, Marian Heilig, his children, Kory Heilig (Cindy), Kerry Heilig, Kris Heilig-Ralph, and stepdaughter Rhonda Alvarado (Dee Ray), nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was also survived by his sister, Joyce Smith.
A funeral service will be held at the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at 11 a.m. Later that afternoon there will be a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m. at the Moses Lake Country Club.
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.