Bernard D. (Bernie) Heichelbech, 93

Bernard D. (Bernie) Heichelbech, 93, of Jasper, Indiana passed away at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2014, at St. Charles Health Campus in Jasper, Indiana.

Bernie was born in Dale, Indiana on July 18, 1921 to Aloysius and Magdalena (Wahl) Heichelbech. He had two marriages. He married Maxine Hopper on December 31, 1945 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana. She preceded him in death on March 7, 1978. His second marriage was to Sharon Atkinson on July 24, 1978.

Bernie owned and operated R&H Mining Inc., Heichelbech Brothers Trucking Inc., and Jasper Electric Machine Company for many years.

He was an WWII Army Air Corp Veteran who was member of the 402nd Fighter Squadron of the 370th Fighter Group of the 9th Air Force. He flew a P38 fighter in over 60 combat missions commencing on D-Day and continuing until the conclusion of the war.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the American Legion Post #147, the V.F.W. Post #673, the Jasper Moose, Jasper Knights of Columbus, and the Ireland Sportsman’s Club.

He enjoyed traveling, fishing, golfing, and spending time with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Heichelbech of Jasper; one daughter, Linda Berry and her husband, Tom, of Evansville; one son, Steven “Pete” Heichelbech and his wife, Lauren, of Ireland; one stepson, Mark Atkinson of Haysville; one sister, Louise Mehringer of Evansville; five grandchildren, Nick and Jon Berry, and Kyle, Cole, and Klint Heichelbech; one stepgrandchild, Nathanual Atkinson; 18 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death besides his first wife Maxine are three brothers; Martin, Charles, and Matthew Heichelbech, four sisters; Catherine Giesler, Agnes Mehringer, Lillian Patton, and Mary Heichelbech, and one granddaughter Courtney Heichelbech.

Funeral services for Bernie Heichelbech will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday (December 2, 2014) at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper, Indiana. The VFW Post #673 will conduct military gravesite rites.

Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2014, at the Becher-Kluesner North Chapel in Jasper.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, or a veteran’s organization.

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.