Homer T. Heape

Homer T. Heape, 94 of Murphysboro died at 9:22 pm Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Homer was born near Vergennes, IL. November 11, 1914 a son to the late Charles Jefferson and Darlie (Holliday) Heape. He married Elizabeth E. "Betty" McNeill in Murphysboro, Betty survives of Murphysboro. Homer was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Murphysboro and was a U.S. Army veteran from WWII and served as a Field Artillery Lieutenant in the 36th (Texas) division and was the first U.S. Army Division to go into Europe staying in southern Italy until September 9, 1943 he then served with Headquarters Battery, 133rd Field Artillery Battalion in Italy and Southern France from November 1943 to August 1944. Mr. Heape received his B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Illinois in 1938 and a Masters Degree in 1952. He taught vocational agriculture (F.F.A.) at Thebes High School for 3 years, Carbondale Community High School for 1 year and Murphysboro Township High School for 24 years. He also farmed from 1950 through 1999 and was a member of the Jackson County Farm Bureau. While he taught at Murphysboro Township High School the F.F.A. land use selection team won several 1st Place awards in Section #24. Homer was a member of Murphysboro Lodge #498 A.F. & A.M. and was a 32nd Degree Master Mason, and was a member of Ainad Shrine. He was also a member of the Murphysboro Elks Lodge #572, and was a life member of Paul Stout Post #127 American Legion and V.F.W. Post 7190 both of Murphysboro. Funeral services will be at 11 am Monday, March 9, 2009 at Crawshaw Funeral Home in Murphysboro, Rev's Larry Gilbert and Earl Renshaw of the First United Methodist Church in Murphysboro will officiate, burial will be at Parrish Cemetery near Vergennes will military rites by the American Legion Paul Stout Post 127 and V.F.W. Post 7190 both of Murphysboro, V.F.W. Post 2605 of Carbondale and the Jackson County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 69. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Crawshaw Funeral Home. Masonic services will be conducted at 7 pm Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are encouraged and may be made to the Illinois Masonic Children's Home in Murphysboro and will be accepted at the funeral home. Survivors include his wife Betty of Murphysboro, one son and daughter-in-law; Dennis and Linda Heape of Murphysboro, one grandson and his wife; Joshua and Melissa Heape of Scottsdale, AZ, two nieces; Joan Hart and Edradel Brown and two nephews; Ronald and Gary Heape. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers; Clinton, Eugene, and Chester Heape and two sisters; Dail Conrad and Daisy Colvin. Memorials may also be made to the Shrine's Hospitals for Children, and will be accepted at the funeral home

Homer T. Heape

November 11, 1914 - March 4, 2009