Mary Jo Heise, 72, of Springfield, formerly of Litchfield, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at HSHS St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Springfield. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Daniel Bergbower officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery in Litchfield. Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Butler Funeral Home in Springfield is assisting the family.
Ms. Heise was born Sept. 22, 1946, in Litchfield, the daughter of William Joseph and Anna Genevieve (Buscher) Heise.
A graduate of Litchfield High School, she began working as an accountant for the State of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, retiring as a manager in 1999, after 35 years of service.
Since high school, she had also been employed at the Capital Theatre and Skyview Drive-In for 40 years. She was a member of Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) since 2006, and was also a certified volunteer youth minister for 15 years at the Litchfield Parish. She was on the building committee for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at Holy Family Parish in Litchfield. She enjoyed golf, and collecting angels and nativities.
She is survived by her siblings, James Heise of Lebanon and Tom (wife Carol) Heise of Geneseo; sisters-in-law, Judy Heise of Roanoke, VA, Kathy Heise of Choctaw, OK, Ann Elzy of Charleston and Sue Heise of Peachtree City, GA; brother-in-law, Nick Biebel of Litchfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Theresa Cunnings, Fidelis Biebel, Agnus Genevieve Heise and Margaret Marie Heise; and five brothers, George Heise, Jack Heise, C. David Heise, William J. Heise, Jr. and Phillip Heise.
Memorials may be made to Great River TEC, 1800 College Ave., Quincy, IL 62301, St. Agnes Parish, 245 Amos Ave., Springfield, IL 62702, or Holy Family Parish, 410 S. State St., Litchfield, IL 62056.
Online condolences may be left at www.butlerfuneralhomes.com.
