Craig William Heilman (1979 - 2015)

Born 18 Apr 1979 in Spokane, Washington, United States

Ancestors

Died 9 Feb 2015 at age 35 in Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho, United States

Biography

Obituary

Craige Heilman was taken from us suddenly Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, as a result of complications sustained from a traumatic brain injury on June 17, 2005.

Craige was born April 18, 1979, in Spokane. He grew up and attended school in Genesee, graduating from Genesee High School in 1998. He enjoyed playing football, basketball and his favorite sport, baseball. He continued to play adult league baseball until his injury prevented him from that activity.

Craige was a very independent soul and he had a hard time sitting still for very long. As soon as he obtained his driver's license he started working. His summers were spent working harvest for his uncle Ken Iverson and various other farmers around the Genesee area. While attending high school, his after-school time was spent working for his uncle Tim Chamberlain at Moscow RV and later in construction with his father, Gary Heilman. Craige was still working in that field at the time of his debilitating injury.

Craige never married nor had any children. Craige dealt with many life-changing obstacles with a strength and stubborn attitude we could all learn from. After many hours, months and years of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, Craige emerged a new person. His main ambition was to make everyone he came in contact with smile or laugh out loud.

Craige gained this newfound attitude with the unconditional love and devotion of his personal care provider, Jim Moody of Care Connections, and the nightly prayer calls with his beloved grandma Moody, who endured Craige's endless joking and teasing. He loved you. Craige could be stubborn and obstinate. But because of Jim's endless patience, Craige gained the confidence and positive attitude to face the world again. Craige was also fortunate to have another professional friend and counselor in social worker Kip Barnett of Phillips Agency. Kip knew his hands were full on the first day he met Craige. But once again, because of Kip's persistence and patience, he helped Craige to be the happy, social person he was until his passing.

Craige also looked forward to his Thursday afternoons volunteering at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehab of Lewiston, where he called bingo every Thursday and visited with the residents, telling jokes and spreading joy and laughter to the residents and employees. Everyone looked forward to Thursdays when Craige was in the center.

He was well-known in the community. Just a short trip to the grocery store for a gallon of milk could end up being a half-day affair as Craige would stop and talk or tell a joke to anyone he saw. He had the quickest wit and most amazing memory for a joke. He seemed to know everyone and everyone knew him. And heaven forbid if he was interrupted at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday when the Z Rock morning quiz show was starting. He loved the challenge and thrill of calling in. His morning conversations with Lee McVey made his day.

Thank you all for being there for our son, brother, grandson, uncle and best friend anyone could ever ask for.

I would like to think that Craige is up there somewhere doing what he loved, hunting with his grandpa and having a brew with his cousin and his adopted grandpa Moody and teasing his great grandmas and aunts relentlessly. And of course telling jokes.

Craige is survived by his mom and dad, Julie and Steve Odenborg of Genesee; father and stepmother, Gary and Vickie Heilman of Troy; sisters Cassie (Brandon) Hendrix and Paige Heilman; brother Randy (Kayla) Heilman; his much-loved nieces Taelynn and Harper Hendrix and Aaliyah Heilman; and his grandparents, Jack and Ivadell Chamberlain, Rene Heilman, Doris Odenborg and Sharon Colton; and his special companion, loyal dog Zac. He is also survived by his adopted family and special friends, Jim Moody, Lois Moody and Kip Barnett; and his special buddy, Lee McVey. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Craige was preceded in death by his grandpa, William Heilman; uncle Randy Heilman; and grandpa Virgil Colton.

Please join us in a celebration of Craige's life from 2 to 4 p.m. March 14 at the Guardian Angel Homes barn on Vineyard Avenue in Lewiston. Refreshments will be served.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to U.S. Bank, Craige Heilman Memorial Fund, or the charity of one's choice. Please leave online condolences and stories of Craige at www.MtViewFuneralHome.com. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://lmtribune.com/obituaries/craige-william-heilman/article_c61604cc-8679-5da4-b022-4e223db28e25.html

• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=142842608