Harold Henry Heeren

Harold Henry Heeren, 82, of Caledonia, died peacefully Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in his home surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with cancer. He was born June 27, 1942, in Milford, IL. He was the son of Elmer and Marie (Kietzman) Heeren. Harold attended Wartburg College and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964. He married Judith Allen on December 20, 1963. Harold worked as an engineer for Barber-Colman for over 30 years before starting a new company, Instrucon, with his partner, George Prentice. Harold was a charter member of Living Christ Lutheran Church and became a charter member of Christ Lutheran Church. He was active and served in many areas of the church through the years. He enjoyed fishing trips with his family and friends on Rice Lake near Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Harold and the family have vacationed at Rice Lake every summer since 1976. He was an avid model railroader and hosted many operating sessions in his home for fellow model railroad enthusiasts. Harold loved music and sang in a barbershop quartet and with the Sinnissippi Sound, West Towns Chorus, and 2nd City Chorus. 

He is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Judith; his children, Rev. Elizabeth (Wayne) Martin of Roscoe, Kenneth Heeren of Pecatonica, Christine (Dan) Brown of Caledonia, and Katherine (Brian) Fitzgerald of Rockville, MD; his grandchildren, Joshua (Angela) Martin, Philip (Hilary) Martin, and Melanie Martin, Harold E. Heeren, and Stephanie (Tevin Jones) Heeren, Vincent and Nicholas Brown, Patrick and Theodore Fitzgerald; six great-grandchildren; his siblings, Karon (Dale) Brutlag, Jeanette (Dave) McKee, and Theodore (Melissa) Heeren; and many nieces and nephews. Harold is predeceased by his parents, his grandchildren, Joseph and Alaina Fitzgerald, and his former daughter-in-law, April Heeren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Christ Lutheran Church, 425 Riverside Road, Belvidere, with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, and again from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Special thanks to the staff at Northern Illinois Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. Harold has donated over eight gallons of blood during his life, so please consider donating blood in his name. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ELCA World Hunger, to Northern Illinois Hospice, or to the perpetual care of Christ Lutheran Church's columbarium, Harold's final resting place. Condolences can be shared online at www.fitzgeraldfuneralhome.com.