Aaron Heisey, 94, of Centre Hall, went home to be with his Lord, Thursday, August 18, 2011, at Hearthside Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre in State College.
He was born January 19, 1917, in Manheim, Lancaster County, PA, a son of the late Stephen and Barbara Herr Forry Heisey.
On May 14, 1949, he married Eva Mae Brubaker who preceded him in death on Friday, March 19, 2010.
As a boy of twelve, Aaron came to Centre County with his family. With the exception of time served with the Civilian Public Service; Aaron farmed most of his life, with potatoes being his primary crop for many years.
During World War II, Aaron worked with the Civilian Public Service for four years. In 1942 through 1943, he worked with the Shenandoah National Park Service, and with the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation System, including 55,000 acres along the Yellowstone River. He also worked as an electrician's helper in Miles City, Montana, where he was involved in developing a drainage ditch system leading the water to siphon in corn and sugar beet rows. In 1944 through 1945 he worked as a milk tester supervisor for DHIA in Erie County, where we earned the Excellent Supervisor's award for his work in milk testing.
Mr. Heisey was an active member of Colyer Brethren in Christ Church holding various positions and serving on the church board for many years. He was also a member of the Nittany Antique Machinery Association.
He was a gifted mechanic and enjoyed restoring antique tractors, and was widely know for his antique truck he restored on which the Calliope owned by the Nittany Antique Machinery was transported and displayed. He also enjoyed spending time at his mountain acres in Decker Valley.
Surviving Mr. Heisey are his daughter, Thelma Bonchack and her husband Joseph Jr. of Bellefonte, two sons, Guy Ronald Heisey and his wife Mary Ann of Lewistown, Jay Donald Heisey of Richfield; eleven grandchildren, Tammy Strouse, Pamela Shreffler and Steve Bonchack, Gail Cello, Charles Jr. and Shawn Fye, Jeremy, Amanda, Hanna, Katie and Brian Heisey; seven great grandchildren; one great great grandson; and one sister Beulah Heisey of Mechanicsburg; and a step brother Jay Wilmer Heisey of Virginia.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Fohringer and Anna Heisey; and two step sisters, Ethel Bundy and Mary Heisey.
Friends will be received from 3 - 6 p. m. Sunday, August 21, 2011 at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall; and from 10:00 a. m. until the time of the service Monday, August 22, 2011, at New Hope Luthrean Church, 119 Cobblestone Court, Spring Mills (Just off Route 45 on the west side of Spring Mills) The funeral service will be at 11:00 a. m., at New Hope Lutheran Church with the Reverend Darrell Smucker officiating. Burial will be at Zion Hill Cemetery, Colyer.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Colyer Brethren in Christ Church, C/O the Reverend Darrell Smucker, 301 Brush Mountain Road, Spring Mills, PA 16875, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 3544 N. Progress Ave. Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110-0638.