Mr. Heberer was a grain and livestock farmer for many years and a member of the Illinois Pork Producers. He had a passion for antique John Deere Tractors and classic Ford cars. He was a member of the John Deere 2 Cylinder Club and loved to spend time with other antique enthusiasts. He rarely missed an opportunity to attend an auction. Verlan was a lifelong member of the Turkey Hill Grange and was a former 4-H Club leader. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, and a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ima Jean, nee Bassler, Heberer, whom he married on April 21, 1957, and who died on June 25, 1971; his parents, Herman and Mildred, nee Helms, Heberer; a sister, Jeanine Rettig; one brother, Wayne Heberer; a son-in-law, Terry Bouvet; one brother-in-law, John Duewer; and his close friend, Sue Fiedler.
Surviving are three daughters, Amy Heberer Bouvet of Belleville, IL,
Jill Ann Connors of Belleville, IL,
and Jann Lynn (Robert) Komotos of Webster Groves, MO;
five grandchildren, Lauren (Ryan) Cozad,
Cole and Carmen Connors,
Luke and Kelly Komotos;
one great-grandson, Case Cozad;
two sisters-in-law, Julie Heberer of Belleville, IL,
and Edith Duewer of Bloomington, IL;
a brother-in-law, Earl Rettig of Lake Zurich, IL;
nieces and nephews;
and his furry friend, Mandy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Freeburg, IL, or to the Turkey Hill Grange. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 28, 2015, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2015, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Freeburg, IL.
Funeral: A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2015, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Freeburg, IL, with Rev. Earl Crecilius officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Green Mount Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
Condolences Left For Verlan Heberer
Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends. He will be missed.
Chris Boyens, Indianola, Iowa, 50125
Our thoughts and prayers to Verlan’s family and friends. He will be missed, but also remembered.
Travis Wibben, New Hartford, IA, 50660
Amy, Lauren, and family, my thoughts are with you right now! Verlan was very special to the Favre family, and he will be greatly missed by all. I’m thankful for the memories I have looking at cars with him as a little girl. It was always fun to see him.
Sending my love!
Jesse
Jesse Favre, Kansas City, MO, 64108
Sending our love and prayers to the Heberer family during this difficult time. Cherish the many memories he gave you.
Noreen Nelson Frye, Easton, IL – Illinois, 62633
To the Heberer family, my sympathy on the loss of Verlan. As a child growing up on a farm, I often heard the names of Wayne and Verlan Heberer. True icons of the farm community in St Clair county. I’m sending thoughts and prayers to all.
June Grab Benedicj, Belleville, Il,
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. We all have lost a great friend and mentor.
Don McKinley, Quincy, Illinois, 62305
To the family of Verlan, I want to express my concern for your loss.
Marvin Huber, Quincy, Il., Illinois, 62305
So sorry for your loss!
No doubt his John Deere passion will live on as he watches from above.
Hugs & Prayers to the family.
Patty (Rompel) Pickering & Stacy Pickering , , Il. ,
Jann- Our prayers and sympathy are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Gene and Marlene Herrmann , Millstadt, Illinois, 62260
To the family of Verlan,please accept my deepest sympathy.
Ed Schloz (retired GM St Clair Service Co), Belleville, Illinois, 62226
To the family of Verlan,please accept my deepest sympathy.
Ed Schloz (retired GM St Clair Service Co), Belleville, Illinois, 62226
My hearfelt thoughts and prayers go to the Heberer family. Verlan touched so many lives, mine was one of them. His memory will live on through those he touched, his passion for life will live on through his family and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Brian Holst, Davenport , Iowa, 52807
Sorry for the loss of Verlan. He will be missed by many, but never forgotten.
Kent Johnson, Summerfield, Illinois, 62289
The Heberer Family and Friends…our thoughts and prayers be with you…Verlan & Ima Jean got Sally and I together in the Spring of 1955 for our first date and we went with them for pizza …so thankful for so many memories…our thanks to all and may God bless the
Heberer family and friends.
Rollie & Sally Main, Victoria, Illinois, 61485
My condolences on the passing of Verlan. I am very sorry for your loss. Revelation 21:4 tells us: “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
J Saldana , , CA ,
Our sympathy to the Verlan Heberer family. We have many memories of Verlan and Ima Jean and they introduced us at the U of I many years ago. May fond memories and God’s peace be with you all.
Mel and Ruth Schlueter, Towanda, Illinois, 61776
Verlin was one of my many John Deere friends, an AGR brother. My deepest sympathy to the Heberer family. Our prayers are with you.
Herb & Peggy Nelson
Herb Nelson, Glenview, IL., 60025
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Heberer family at the loss of Verlan. Over the years our paths crossed many times as we shared similar interests. It may have been at a farm toy show, a Two-Cylinder Expo or other tractor show, the Buick show when his early touring car won Best Prewar Buick or a phone conversation. The collector community has truly lost a wonderful and very knowledgeable member. I will miss him.
Jim Bloomstrand, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, 60192
Verlan and I were classmates at U of I. I am deeply saddened by news of his death, but he will be remembered as one of my good friends from those college years.
William “Van” Burgess, Westminster, Colorado, 80031