Vera Esch Heitz

Mrs. Heitz was born March 1, 1925, in Peoria, Illinois, and grew up in Washington, Illinois. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Benjamin F. Esch and Christiana Schutt Esch.

She studied music and languages at Bluffton College, Bluffton, Ohio, and at University of Illinois where she graduated in 1946. She taught Spanish at the University of Illinois while studying for an advanced degree. She received a degree in Secondary Education from JMU in 1978. She taught in local schools as a substitute teacher and taught private piano lessons. She was a member of the choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Harrisonburg for 38 years, including ten years playing the organ there. In recent years she often played the piano in retirement communities and at church. She was a volunteer in many community service groups and founded one of the first ten chapters of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Her husband, George A. Heitz, and her son, Thomas B. Heitz, preceded her in death.

Surviving are a daughter, Linda A. Giles, and her husband, Ronald, of Harrisonburg, and sons, George A. Heitz, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth, of Davis, California; and Stephen T. Heitz and his wife, Mary, of Harrisonburg; a daughter-in-law, Ann Heitz, of Charlottesville; eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren; three nephews and one niece.

Mrs. Heitz will be cremated and a memorial service will be held Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Court Square with Dr. John F. Sloop officiating.

The family will receive friends on Thurday, December 1, 2011 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.

In lieu of flowers, Vera’s family suggests contributions to the Good Samaritan Fund, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, 1501 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802 or the First Presbyterian Church, 17 North Court Square, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindseyharrisonburg.com