Evelyn Margaret (Milbrandt) Heil
Evelyn Heil Obituary
Houghton --- Evelyn Margaret Milbrandt Heil, educator, supportive wife, loving mother, grandmother and faithful believer, peacefully passed away in Houghton on September 3, 2021. She was born on September 10, 1925 in Scranton, PA, a daughter of the late Carl and Melba Hartman Milbrandt.
A native of Rochester, Evelyn was the first from her family to attend college, earning a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 1947 from Houghton College in New York. In 1955 she was awarded a master’s degree in Education from the College at Brockport, SUNY. She taught elementary students in Rochester, Chicago IL and Kansas City MO, and found great delight in teaching first graders to read.
On August 6, 1949, she married John J. Heil, a Kodak chemist. He dreamt of becoming a physician and she encouraged and supported him through medical school. Upon his graduation, she turned her attention to raising a family and assisting with his family practice in Massillon OH. Dr. Heil was an osteopathic physician and a founding member of Doctors Hospital of Massillon OH. He predeceased her in September of 2000.
Evelyn’s faith played a pivotal role in her life. She shared her gifts of music and teaching in the churches she attended, including Whipple Heights Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Canton OH and First Baptist Church of Massillon OH.
A creative person, Mrs. Heil shared her artistic skills through her paintings, organ and piano music, and singing. She also enjoyed gardening and making floral arrangements with the Massillon Garden Club. Mrs. Heil loved to entertain and was apt to host spontaneous gatherings at her home. She enjoyed growing plants and sharing fruit from her trees. She rejoiced in her days, her motto being “Have a little fun every day!” She daily sought to share God’s love with others. To reflect her sunny outlook on life, she has requested that all wear bright cheery colors to her memorial services.
Evelyn is survived by her children Janet (Richard) Stegen of Houghton; Margaret Heil of Asheville NC; Gary (Kathie) Heil of Bear DE; and Karen (Mark) Heil Borchert of Wellsville. She adored her 12 grandchildren: Shane (Jenna), Gabriel (Lauren), Zack, Sarah (Mike), Josiah, Nathanael (Missy), Elissa (Conly), Levi, Jessica, Daniel, April, and one great-granddaughter, Anya Marie. The second oldest of five children, Evelyn is survived by her brother Carlton (Dyonne) Milbrandt of Northville, MI, two brothers-in-law, Louie Carini and Bruce McClarin both of Rochester, one cousin Marlene (Marvin) Smith of Rochester and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents she was predeceased by a grandson, Joshua Gibbs, her sisters, Lois Vander Mallie, Shirley Carini and Anna Jean McClarin.
Family and friends may gather from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, September 17, 2021 at Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee Street, Fillmore. A Celebration of her Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Houghton Wesleyan Church. Rev. Dr. Karen Heil Borchert and Rev. Dr. Wesley Oden will co-officiate. A graveside service will be at 11:00 am on Monday, September 20, 2021 in Sunset Hills Memory Gardens in North Canton, OH.
Memorials if desired to: Biblica, The International Bible Society.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Evelyn Margaret (Milbrandt) Heil, please visit our floral store.
Services
September 17, 2021
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Kopler - Williams Funeral Home
21 North Genesee Street
Fillmore, NY 14735