Obituary for Honorable George W. Heffner
The Honorable George W. Heffner, 90, of Pottsville, passed away Sunday morning, January 24th , at Schuylkill Medical Center. He was the retired President Judge of the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas. ��Born May 3, 1925, he was the son of the late Pottsville Mayor George S. Heffner and Mrs. Helen (Moyer) Heffner. ��Judge Heffner graduated from Pottsville High School with the class of 1943 and was a member of the Tau Kappa Delta society in high school. He served in the U.S. Navy medical corps for three years during World War II and entered Dickinson College in 1946. At Dickinson he was president of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and of the Inter-Fraternity Council. He also was president of The Raven's Claw, a local society consisting of the seven most outstanding students at the college. He was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society. ��He graduated from Dickinson with a Bachelor of Arts degree, then entered Dickinson Law School, graduating in June 1951, with a Bachelor of Law degree. He engaged in the general practice of law, establishing an office in Pottsville. In 1956, he was elected to the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. Described by former Governor William Scranton as "one of the deepest thinkers and prime leaders of our legislature", he served 10 years over five terms as a State Representative. He remarkably won each election with the highest number of votes, even in 1964 when all the other Republicans lost that year. During his legislative years, which included his election as majority whip, he brought many benefits to his beloved Schuylkill County. One of his highest achievements was the successful passage of the Miner's Asthma bill that gave lifetime benefits to disabled coal miners. He was also primarily responsible for the development of Tuscarora State Park and secured funds for improvements to Locust Lake State Park. In 1963 he introduced legislation that provided $1,000,000 in funds from the state for the building of classrooms at the current site of the Penn State Schuylkill campus. While a member of the legislature he gained a state-wide reputation as a capable and articulate law-maker. He was elected as Judge to the Court of Common Pleas in 1967, after running unopposed in the general election, having been nominated by both the Republican and Democratic parties. He was appointed President Judge in 1983 upon the untimely death of Judge Guy A. Bowe, Jr. He served for twenty years on the bench until his retirement in 1988. ��Judge Heffner was the first president of United Cerebral Palsy, a member of the Board of Trustees at Bloomsburg University, a Pottsville Lions and Elks Club member, a life-time member of Amvets Post No. 227 and served as a chairman for the American Cancer Society and March of Dimes fund-rising drives. He was a member of the Schuylkill County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania State Bar Association. He served as a board member for SEDCO and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He taught Sunday school at the church for many years. He had an incredible memory of people's names and was known everywhere he went in Schuylkill County. The long time patriarch of his family, he was known for being blunt and had an uncanny knack for always being right. His advice was sought out by many people and he was always faithful, kind and caring. He put his family first in all matters. ��In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas and Charles Heffner and three sisters: Grace Heffner Weber, Mildred Heffner Fox, and Lorraine Heffner Spotts. ��Judge Heffner is survived by his wife, Barbara Richards Heffner, to whom he was married for 62 years. In addition, he leaves behind a daughter, Kimberly Heffner Carberry and her husband, Attorney Glenn Carberry and a son, George W. Heffner, Jr. MD and his wife, Susan Miller Heffner. He has five grandchildren: Brittany, Danielle, Christopher, Emily and Caroline. ��A celebration of Judge Heffner's life will be held on Saturday, January 30th at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3rd and Arch Sts., Pottsville, with Rev. Harold Hand officiating. A visitation with the family will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. ��Interment will be private at the convenience of the family in Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Judge Heffner's memory to Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, PA. Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com ��
Service:
11:00 a.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
3rd and Arch Sts., Pottsville
Visitation:
9:00 a.m. until time of service
Trinity Lutheran Church
3rd and Arch Sts., Pottsville
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Service:
11:00 a.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
3rd and Arch Sts., Pottsville
Visitation:
9:00 a.m. until time of service
Trinity Lutheran Church
3rd and Arch Sts., Pottsville
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