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Patricia “Patti” Jo Heitzman Obituary

Patricia “Patti” Jo Heitzman, 77, of W. Bradenton, Florida, passed away on Friday, September 9, 2022, at her home surrounded by family after a lengthy illness. Patti was born on September 26, 1946, in Peoria, Illinois, the daughter of Dale L. Heitzman and Mary Jane Reavley. She was predeceased by her very best friend Cheryl M. Garvey, her nephew Shane Tillmann, sister-in-law Stefanie Heitzman, her parents and stepparents, and brother Karl Witt. Surviving are her beloved siblings, Terry Heitzman of Pleasant Hill, CA, Harry Tillmann of Rockford, IL, Mitzi Runyard Timan (Ralph) of Minier, IL, Peter Witt (Tina) of Ellenton, FL, and Suzy Larson (Sam) of Deland , FL, and cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She graduated from East High School in Rockford, IL in 1962, and went on to work for the US Postal Service in Rockford, Illinois for 32 years before retiring in 1999. It was there that she found her passion for service to others through membership and leadership in the National Association of Postal Supervisors (NAPS), and later through the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). Patti held many board positions over the years including the Rockford Postal Employees Credit Union, the Loves Park Kiwanis, and more recently on the Ironwood Ninth Condo Association. She volunteered for multiple organizations over the years including more than a decade at the Olympia High School Madrigal Feast in Stanford, Illinois in support of her nieces and nephews, and more recently at Our Daily Bread in Bradenton.

Patti lived in Loves Park, Illinois most of her life, retiring to W. Bradenton full-time in 2019 after snow-birding for many years. She was an avid reader, gardener, gambler, and line dancer. She loved her many friends, and her family is grateful for the special relationships that sustained her during her illness. She will be missed beyond measure.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 2, at 1:00 pm at St. John’s UCC in Minier, Illinois, with dinner immediately following at the home of Ralph and Mitzi Timan 211 N. Minier Avenue, all are welcome. A memorial celebration will be held in the Ironwood community in February 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sycamore, IL Food Pantry, Rock House Kids, Rockford, IL, or Our Daily Bread, Bradenton, FL.

Posted online on September 20, 2022

Published in Rockford Register Star

service information

celebration of life

St. John’s UCC 302 N Maple Ave. Minier, IL 61759

October 02, 2022 at 1:00 PM

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