Obituary: Gerald Eugene Heydenberk, 84, of Pentwater.

September 17, 2021

Gerald Heydenberk

Gerald Eugene Heydenberk, 84, of Pentwater

Gerald Eugene Heydenberk, 84, of Pentwater, passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at his home. He was born January 22, 1937, in Hart, the son of Ray and Edith (Hazen) Heydenberk.

Gerald served his country in the US Army, being stationed at Fort Knox in Kentucky, attending the Naval School of Music in Washington DC, and Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He was proud of his service, and while in the military was fortunate to march in a parade with President, Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Gerald became a successful band director in which he touched the souls of approximately 1,800 students.

Gerald was a lover of the great outdoors, and he loved to share God’s natural beauty with his family. He was introduced to trout fishing by his father and brother-in-law, and this became one of his beloved hobbies, especially with his son, Craig and friends, Al Lutkus and Duane Chambers. Gerald was very proud of the fact that he was able to retire at the young age of 54, and over the course of 30 years, he and his wife, Anna, camped and traveled to every state in the United States with the exception of Hawaii. Continuing their travels out of the country, they visited every province in Canada, and enjoyed four trips to Europe.

On July 18, 1959, Gerald married the love of his life, Anna (Merten) Heydenberk, and she survives him after 62 years of marriage. He is also survived by: his children, Craig (Patricia) Heydenberk, Lori Ann (Jeffrey) Totten, and DiAnn (Theodore) DeGroot; grandchildren, Nicole (John Durante) Totten, Zachary (Hannah) Totten, Kala (David) Pozivilko, and Ana DeGroot; great-granddaughter, Maya Joann Totten; and sister, Donna (Robert) Essenberg.

Gerald was preceded in death by: his parents, Ray and Edith Heydenberk; sisters, Virginia (Roger) Matthews, Eula Payne, Ilene (Robert) Rummer, Myrna (Gene) Trommater, and Shirley (Gerald) VanDenHeuvel; and brothers, Everett (Chris) Heydenberk and Wilbur (Margaret) Heydenberk.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Beacon Creation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 North 72^nd Avenue, Hart, with a praying of the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m., Friday, September 24, 2021, at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 316 South Peach Avenue, Hart with Rev. Daniel Schumaker presiding. Interment will be in Hart Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.