Ralph E. Heilig, Jr.

     Beloved father, companion, brother and friend Ralph E. Heilig, Jr., of Chambersburg, PA passed away on November 18, 2024 at Mercy House of Chambersburg, following a brief illness. 

     He is survived by his partner of 33 years, Marie Wolson; by his daughters, Dawn Jones of Naples, FL, Karen Decker (and husband, George) of Basking Ridge, NJ, and Susan Krupkowski of Reston, VA; and by Marie’s son Mark Wolson of Woodbridge, VA and daughter Karen King (and husband, Wayne) of Stafford, VA. He is also survived by his sister, Carol Bledsoe of Boothwyn, PA, and brother, Richard Heilig of Media, PA. Eight grandchildren or step-grandchildren, and two great- or step-great-grandchildren survive him as well.

     His former wife, FaeAnna Heilig of Chambersburg, survives. Ralph was predeceased by his sons-in-law, Brooke Jones and Wally Krupkowski, and by his parents, Ralph E. Heilig, Sr., and May (Jaggers) Heilig.

     Born February 24, 1933 in Chester, PA, Ralph was the oldest of three children. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, graduated from Ridley Park High School and worked as a merchant marine with Sun Oil for the summer before beginning forestry school at the Mont Alto campus of The Pennsylvania State University.

     Drafted into the U.S. Navy midway through his freshman year, Ralph served in photo reconnaissance for two years, then went back to working on a Sun Oil tanker for several months. He returned to Mont Alto and then University Park to finish his forestry degree, graduating in 1958.

     He worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for 41 years, retiring after 19 years as a District Forester in Huntingdon in 1999. He had previously been the Assistant District Forester in McConnellsburg. Earlier in his career, he had worked at the forestry offices in Stroudsburg and Emporium.

     Throughout his long life, Ralph demonstrated his devotion to country, community and church with volunteer activities and leadership roles too numerous to count. Chief among them, though, were his memberships at the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring, the McConnellsburg Fire Department, Rotary International, the Navy League of the U.S., and service as a Blue and Gold Officer of The U.S. Naval Academy, interviewing prospective midshipmen.

     Ralph and Marie were adventurous travelers for many years. His two favorite trips were to Antarctica and the Amazon River. He was an avid reader of biographies and World War II history.

     Over the years, Ralph was instrumental in bringing his forestry classmates together for frequent reunions at Mont Alto. He and Marie enjoyed socializing with of many of those classmates, as well as with dozens of other friends, and with neighbors who are like family.

     Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home is handling arrangements. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held in the spring at Penn State - Mont Alto. Interment will be at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico.

     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring, Mercy House of Chambersburg, the volunteer fire companies of either Fayetteville or McConnellsburg, or to the charity of one’s choice.