Mr. Boyd R. Heil, Sr., 89, of LaHarpe, IL passed away at 12:20 PM Thursday, July 14, 2016 at the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.

He was born on January 3, 1927 in rural Mount Pleasant, IA, the son of Elmer and Johanna Heil. In 1946 Boyd married Grace Price, they later divorced. On January 10, 1964 he married Judy Ann Sturms in Canton, MO. She survives.

Boyd attended school in Mount Pleasant before joining the Service. He served active duty in the U.S. Navy from January, 1944 until December, 1948. He then joined the Navy Reserves where he served from 1949 until 1953. Throughout his 9 years and 9 months in the service Boyd worked as a Chef.

After his discharge from the Navy, Boyd went on to work as a manager chef at The Cannery in Muscatine, IA, The Moose Lodge in Burlington, IA, and The Royal Fork in California. Mr. Heil operated a Holiday Inn in both Quincy, IL and Burlington at the same time. Other employments throughout his life include: Working in the Deli at the former Jack & Jills grocery in LaHarpe and The Eagles in Macomb, IL. For a time, he also worked for Mitch Melvin in Blandinsville, IL.

Boyd was a member of the Union Church, and the LaHarpe American Legion, both in LaHarpe. He enjoyed doing work to his house and could often be found tinkering in his garage. Boyd was known as a jokester and loved playing pranks on his family. Above all Mr. Heil loved spending time with his family and cherished his time with his wife.

Boyd is survived by his wife, two children with his first wife, Bruce (Gail) Heil of Colorado and Rebecca (Randy) Berenger of Burlington, three step-children, Valenteana Van Laningham of Nebraska, Karen Smith of California and Candy Sue Nightingale of California, two children from his current marriage, Mary Jo Anna (Steve) Worcester of Texas and Julie Ann (Joe) Janer of Texas, 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren, one brother Carl (Mary) Heil of Bagley, WI and 1 sister, Idabell Morris of Mount Pleasant.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one son, Boyd Heil, Jr.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Rev. Bruce Goettsche and Rev. Rick Goettsche officiating. Burial, with military rites, will follow in the LaHarpe Cemetery. Friends may call anytime after 3:00 PM Tuesday at the Funeral Home, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. A memorial fund has been established for Disabled Veterans of America. Condolences may be left a banksandbeals.com.