NORTH VERNON
Ralph Richard Heilman, 82, of North Vernon, passed away at home on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 3:47 p.m.
Born December 7, 1940, in Lexington, he was the son of the late Carl Heilman Sr. and Elsie (Hunt) Heilman.
Ralph graduated from Vernon High School in 1961. He went on to work as a test fitter at Cummins Engine Company in Seymour for 35 years before retiring in 1999 in addition to working as a farmer. He was a member of the Diesel Workers Union and loved farming, tractors, horses, riding his Kawasaki Mule, and hunting pheasants, quail, and squirrels.
He is survived by his companion, Angela Fugate of North Vernon; son, Kevin (Becky) Heilman of North Vernon; daughters, Kathy Weixler and Connie (Glen) Richardson, both of North Vernon; brother, Carl (Henrietta) Heilman Jr. of North Vernon; sisters, Margie (Wesley) Bear and Betty Emily, both of North Vernon, Shirley Masingo of Charlestown, and Millie Doogs of Springfield, Ohio; grandchildren, Misty (Ryan) Bustle of Franklin, Ryan Richard (Megan) Heilman of Commiskey, Steven (Kaylee) Heilman and Michael (Lyndsey) Weixler, both of North Vernon, Tyler (Lillian Hogan) Branham of Carmel, Eva (Cecil) Arnold of Brownstown, and Nicole (Alaina Young) Richardson of Port Bolivar, Texas; and great grandchildren, Emma Heilman, Grant Heilman, Maggie Heilman, Brixley Weixler, and Briley Weixler, all of North Vernon, Roman Bustle and Alice Bustle, both of Franklin, Wyatt Heilman and Alivia Heilman, both of Commiskey, and Levaeh Arnold and Liam Arnold, both of Brownstown.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Paul Heilman; and sisters, Annie Thalacker, Alice Sherfick, Thelma Gellhause, Martha Perry, and Margaret Caldwell.
A funeral service for Ralph will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 14, 2023, at Dove-Sharp &Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services in North Vernon with Brother Ricky Persons officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.
Memorial donations may be made through the funeral home in Ralph’s honor to Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.