Harold L. Heilig, 82, of Bad Axe, formerly of Port Austin, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2016 at McLaren Bay Regional Hospital.

Harold was born in Huron City at home on May 17, 1934 to the late William and Margaret (Oswald) Heilig.  He was the 19 ^th out of 21 children.

On October 19, 1957, he married Madilyn C. Moore.   She preceded him in death in November 1994.   On May 16, 1997, he married Darlene Lerash.

Harold served in the U.S. Army from 1954 – 1956 during the Korean Conflict.   He was stationed in Germany.  He earned the National Defense Service Medal Army of Occupation Medal.

He worked for the Wayne County Road Commission for many years as a foreman.   He also owned a tree trimming & stump removal business.   Harold loved to play the harmonica, tend to his vegetable garden, going to the stockyards with his brothers, going out to eat especially at Big Boy, and loved spending time with his family and friends.

Harold is survived by his wife of 19 years, Darlene Heilig of Bad Axe; his children: Cathy Jimpkoski of Kinde, Jeff (Brenda) Heilig of Port Austin, Harold (Brenda) Heilig of Irons, Michigan, Dawn (David) Ventline of Port Austin, Steven Heilig of Bad Axe and Nicholas Heilig of Elkton; grandchildren: Deana, Amanda, Nicole, Kristle, Harold, Tricia, Holly, Bradley, Kayla, Dustin, Cassandra, William, Bethany, Kaiden, Emerald, and Landon; great grandchildren: Brent, Madilyn, James, Dominic, Tara, Tyler, Mikey, Jayden, Jacob, Macie and Karson;  his brothers, Nicholas Heilig, Wilford Heilig, and Gerald Heilig; his sisters, Catherine Stewart, Lucille Hintz, Beatrice Drake, Regina Koglin, Winifred Sageman, and Jeanette Heilig; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Darcy Jimpkoski; his son-in-law, Dennis Jimpkoski; brothers: Paul, Clarence, Marcus, Ralph, Benjamin, Bernard and William Heilig; and his sisters:  Nona Harris, Geneiveve Mithoff, Margaret Peyok, and Gertrude Cerveny.

Per Harold's wishes, cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City.   A memorial service will be at the MacAlpine Gage Chapel in Kinde on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.   Burial will take place at Port Austin Township Cemetery with military honors.

Harold's family would like to thank his caregiver from Alpha Omega Home Health Care, Pat Elliott and to all the girls at DaVita Dialysis in Bad Axe for their help and comfort.

Memorials may be offered to the family discretionary fund.

Condolences can be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com