Obituary
1st
Lt. Thomas John Heitmann, 27, a decorated U.S. Marine posthumously promoted to captain, died Sept. 19, 2011, while flying a AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter while assigned to Training Squadron 303, Marine Aircraft Group 39,of the 3rd Marine
Aircraft Wing at Air Station Miramar, San Diego, Calif. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday in Holy Cross Church, Mendota with the Most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, bishop of the Peoria Diocese, officiating. Concelabrants will be the Revs. Fredi Gomez-Torres and Gary Blake. Burial will be at St. Theresa's Catholic Cemetery, Earlville. Visitation will be 3:30- 8:30 p.m. Sunday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. A memorial service was Wednesday at Camp Pendleton, San Diego, Calif. He was born Nov. 23, 1983, to Thomas F. and Mary Therese (Leonard) Heitmann. He attended Holy Cross Grade School and St. Bede Academy, graduating in 2002. While at St. Bede, he was a top student and wellrespected athlete. He was part of the most successful football team in St. Bede history and later inducted with his team into the Academy's Hall of Fame. Capt. Heitmann also was named the 2002 NewsTribune Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year and currently holds two of the Academy's track and field records. Capt. Heitmann attended Valley Forge Military College, Wayne, Pa., where he was involved in the Young Republican's Club, Business Club, Officer Christian Fellowship, Catholic Fellowship, Regimental Choir, Drill Team and student government. In addition to his financial duties as student government treasurer, he coordinated Valley Forge's Martin Luther King Day service project which aided in constructing an operational center for Mothers Against Violence. Heavily involved in the performing arts, he played the role of Jesus in the Open Door Stage Co. performance of "Godspell" and, most notably, performed at Carnegie Hall with the Regimental Choir. He also made Valley Forge Military College history by being named the first, first-year cadet to achieve the rank of cadet second lieutenant. As 2LT, he supervised the development of the nation's service academy's Prepster Program and Valley Forge's Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Early Commissioning Program. Prior to leaving Valley Forge, he was inducted into the Anthony Wayne Legion Guard. Capt. Heitmann was accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla., known as the world's leader in aviation higher education. He was the recipient of the National Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Marine Option Scholarship in the fall of 2006. He competed against every other midshipman in the nation for the prestigious award. He also received the physical fitness and leadership award. In 2008, Capt. Heitmann was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He completed training at the Naval Air Stations in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Pensacola, Fla. He continued to be recognized for his academic abilities and leadership qualities. He received his wings in 2011 and was assigned to fly the AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Capt. Heitmann loved serving his country and he died doing what he loved most. He left an imprint of honor and courage and gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He will be sadly missed. Capt. Heitmann is survived by his parents, Tom and Mary Therese (Leonard) Heitmann of Mendota; one brother, Aaron Heitmann of Glen Ellyn; four sisters, Rachel (Dave) Christensen of Burbank, Calif., Hannah (Matt) Pozzi of Lakemoor, Sarah (Abe) Henkel of Charlotte, N.C., and Mary Elizabeth Heitmann of Lakemoor; paternal grandmother, Eleanore Sjostrom and maternal grandfather James Leonard; two nieces, Ella and Nora Henkel; two nephews, Terrapin and Xavier Christensen; and several aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, maternal stepgrandmother, paternal grandfather and paternal stepgrandfather. Memorials may be directed toward trusts that will be set up in Capt. Thomas John Heitmann's name to provide scholarships for children of deceased Marine veterans to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and St. Bede Academy.
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