Nancy passed away Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the Wings Home in Allegan.
She was born December 24, 1933 in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, the daughter of Adele Hyder. Nancy had owned and operated Western Michigan Financial Services for over 20 years. After retiring she started 2 non-profit organizations, Good Hands of Plainwell and Bridges of Hope of Allegan County. Nancy also assisted in starting Sylvia’s Place and Wings of Hope Hospice. She was a member of the DDA, Chamber of Commerce and was a charter member of Hope Lutheran Church.
On May 23, 1953 in Newport, North Carolina she married Jennings Heilig who survives.
Also surviving are her children, Deborah Heilig and spouse Loretta Mossbarger of Arizona and Jennings Heilig of Arizona; half-brother, David Hampton of California and brother and sister-in-law, Kay and Susan Heilig of Georgia.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Adele Hyder.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
A memorial service will be held on October 19, 2019 at 11am at the Plainwell Performing Arts Center, 684 Starr Rd., Plainwell, MI. A light lunch and time of fellowship will follow from 12:30 to 2:00pm.
Burial of ashes will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta.
Contributions in memory of Nancy may be made to
Good Hands of Plainwell
or Hope Lutheran Church of Plainwell.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Nancy J. Heilig
Condolence Messages
Bob & Joyce Bloom
August 9, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Our deepest sympathy to the family of this lovely, generous lady. She will be greatly missed by the Good Hands group and all who knew her.
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Leandra, Mike, Matthew, and Nolan Burke
August 9, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Nancy recruited me to the Good Hands Plainwell board five years ago and it has been a pleasure to serve the community with her. She was a very special lady and will be sorely missed. Our hearts go out to the Heilig family.
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Bill and Sally James
August 9, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Prayers to Jennings and all of Nancy’s family. Nancy was certainly a special lady and will be so very missed. She became a James family friend many years ago. Bill and I and our kids moved to Arizona in 2007. But anytime we were planning on being in Michigan we made sure to contact Nancy so we could arrange to have a meal with them.
It was usually at Pine Lake Diner 🙂 Thank you for everything – and most importantly your friendship. Give Jean a hug from us kids. Much Love.
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Nancy Barton
August 9, 2019 at 1:41 pm
We are having to say goodbye to a special friend & woman. I first met Nancy in the 80s when we organized Wings of Hope Hospice. She also managed investments for me.When I would come back to Michigan for a visit, she was always one of the people on the top of my list to try to spend some time with. If you were a friend of Nancy’s you would never be alone
Sending prayers & thoughts to her family. To the kids, how wonderful she was your Mom. The world would certainly be a better place if all were like her. A special condolence to Jennings. May you find peace and reassurance in the this terrible time of loss.
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Chet and Shirley Babrick
August 9, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Family, so glad that Nancy started Good Hands Plainwell. It has been an honor to work for Good Hands Plainwell.. She will be missed, Shirley
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Anne Kirby
August 9, 2019 at 3:27 pm
She was such a compassionate and loving woman who I knew for 40 years. She lived well and accomplished so much. My condolences to family.
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Bill James
August 9, 2019 at 4:28 pm
I have known Nancy sense I was 14, I worked for her doing yard work and odd jobs she always had a smile. What a light to everyone. You will be greatly missed by our family. We love you Nancy.
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Leslie Roell
August 9, 2019 at 8:13 pm
Nancy, many years ago, assumed the leadership of the Plainwell
Teacher’s Credit Union, I served on her Bd. at the time when we were selected to visit a multiple number of credit unions in Grand Rapids to return with design ideas to share with her Bd. Our Credit Union was
growing and needed more space and modernizing, The building, that, after additional modernizing throughout the years, remains, I believe, on the same property, Nancy was a whirlwind of energy and ideas that was always present until her recent illness. I loved her, as her love spread far and wide throughout her life.
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Linda Summerer
August 10, 2019 at 3:53 pm
I have fond memories of Nancy from many years ago. She and I met with a group of Lutheran, women in homes, before there was Hope Lutheran Church. She was an amazing woman, loved by many, and committed her life to doing wonderful things for all who live in the area. She will be missed. My sincere sympathy to her family now and in the days to come.
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Randy and Mary Lober
August 11, 2019 at 7:59 am
Nancy had a social workers soul and a love of finance. She wanted to include everyone in an abundant happy life. We trusted her and admired her and the whole community will miss her. She will live in in her family and the charities she founded.
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Michelle Abbey
August 12, 2019 at 11:41 pm
Nancy was a very special lady and a role model! My sympathies to Jennings and all of her family
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Todd Overhuel
August 14, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Such a nice classy lady. Our entire family will miss her.
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Marilyn Lamborn
August 16, 2019 at 7:58 pm
I really didn’t know Nancy, but know she did so much for the City of Plainwell. She gave of her many hours to all the needs of Plainwell and the children. May she rest in peace knowing she did a job well done. My sympathy goes out to her Family.
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Cleon and LeeAnn Grinage
August 17, 2019 at 11:50 am
Just to let you know that she was very special to us. 10 years ago when we were getting married at Nancy’s Kitchen, we received a package from Nancy Heilig. Inside were Hawaiian wedding leis. She knew some of her clients were in Hawaii and she had asked them to send these flowers, I believe overnight to us for our wedding. I have never ever forgotten this jesture of love. I think of her everytime I look at our wedding pictures. She was a GREAT lady.
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Cleon and LeeAnn Grinage
August 17, 2019 at 12:01 pm
A great loss. 10 years ago when we were getting married, Nancy knew some one who was in Hawaii. She asked them to send two Hawaiian wedding leis to us. Whenever I look at our wedding pictures I think of her. Just a GREAT heart. We will miss her.
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Terry Rich & Greg Schmuker
August 17, 2019 at 1:21 pm
Jennings, Deb & Loretta and Butch … and your entire family … we are so saddened by your loss. We know it’s been difficult for you all. Please take care of yourselves and each other as you move forward, and may your sorrow lead you to fond memories of Nancy and her life well lived.
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Tammy Glupker
August 29, 2019 at 4:40 pm
Nancy’s name preceded her. What A FORCE!!! No scenario presented to her shied her away from rolling up her sleeves; in fact, it seemed like the more dire the situation, the more determined Nancy became. I will miss knowing she’s a phone call away. She had a special attentiveness to Renaissance alternative and adult education students. I can attest that she may have, quite literally, saved a few of their lives. I hope more hearts can grow to be as big, strong and open as hers always was.
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