Donald Heyliger Obituary

Donnie
We miss you lots! You have done so much for all of us and we miss your sense of humor, thoughtfulness, and caring. We know you are with us everyday in spirit...Judy

"To live in hearts
we leave behind
is not to die."
We miss you every day, Donnie.

Don's ashes have been interned at Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO near our parents in Section 3A - a beautiful resting place and worth a visit on a nice day.

Don,

We shall have you with us in our memories, in our kind memories closely and dearly held, trusting in God that He now cares for one who so dearly cared for us, his CMHS classmates.

Dear Friends and Family:
The Heyliger family would like to extend our heart-felt thanks to all who have reached out to us during this very difficult time. Looking ahead to 2013, we can only visualize a huge void that has been created since Don's passing, and with that visualization, a sense of panic sets in not knowing how we will cope without him. In reading and re-reading your kind words, remembrances and deeds, please know that they are sustaining us and will continue to do so. We know that Don has touched many in a very personal way throughout his life. He has made his mark and we will forever be changed in a very meaningful way. He may have been one half of an identical creation but he was one of a kind; unrepeatable indeed.
Thank you all who were able to join us on the 22nd. It was a joyous occasion and a fitting celebration of a life well lived. For those who were not able to attend, we felt your presence in spirit and love. Please stay in touch.
With love and gratitude,
Susan, Vicki and Doug

Donnie
My heart is with you.
Love you always, "me"

I am very thankful I had the privilege to play for Coach Don. He made me a better hockey player every time I was on his ice, or on his bench. I still teach my young skaters things he taught me. He was a tremendous coach, a classy gentleman and was greatly respected by his players.

Rest in peace Coach Don

May you rest in peace in the Hockey Heavens coach. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our Arapahoe High School Hockey Team.

Doug, So sorry to hear of the loss of Don. I have fond memories of you both from high school. My sincere sympathy. Donna Merrill Schoon

Vicki, Doug, and Sue,
Don and all of you are such a part of our family. We will miss all the great laughter and fun we had with Don, but know he is now looking down on us. He was such a good person. We are thinking of you all and know we love you lots. Remember all the wonderful memories. Love, the Renfrew's and Hart's

Vicki,and Doug,and family.The Renfro family is is sorry for your loss.And our loss as well.Don was a great man,friend and story teller(jokes ).I remember doug and Don clear back to the mid 60s when they would stop by the house on Cheyenne Blvd.to see sister Sheryl.Don will forever be etched in our memories.He was part of our family as well.Love ya,will miss your witt and friendship.

Susan, Dave, Vicki & Doug:
Of course, this is sad news for you all as well as for me even though I have been removed from the Heyliger family for an extended period of time. I recall my father telling me that he used to stop over to Vic's - probably quite regularly for a chat & a drink. He was always uneasy as Don & Doug would be climbing all over the stairs and railing, dangling down and dropping to the floor.
Vic, of course, never noticed my father's uneasiness - waiting for a crash.


All the Heyliger's were from strong stock - Vic & Ruth ! So, we knew all the kids would turn out healthy, fun, and resilient. Such good memories you all must have. You have our condolences and thoughts at this difficult time.


Love, Leo Legatski

To Doug and the Heyliger Family, the passing of Donny came as a shock to all who knew him. His humor and love of life will never be forgotten. I hope during this most difficult time you can enjoy the memories he created for everyone as he would want it that way. Paul and Patty

To Doug and the Heyliger family, So sorry to hear about Don's loss. I was always amazed by the joviality of Don. He was always a great teammate for the Frenchies back in 1968-69. I remember the parties we had on Mary Street and at the Heyligers in Ann Arbor. They introduced me to the CCR and to this day my thoughts are with both of you whenever I hear them. Our hearts are with you in these difficult moments!
Bernie Gagnon Montreal, Canada
Other Frenchies: Mike Jarry and Punch Cartier.

The Heyliger Family,
So very sad to hear of Don's passing. Donny was a one of a kind human being. He made us laugh untill our sides ached. He and Doug were a combination to be behold on the Bricks and Ice-Holes hockey teams. Road trips with Donny were especially fun. Many great memories with the Heyligers. So from our family to yours our deepest condolences. Donny will be missed but will never forgotten.
Fred, Frank, Steve and Bob Myers

Lord, be with Donnie and with those who have so loved him in this world. Guide him to the light of Your eternal rest and peace, and console those of us who remain with Your strength and love. May all of us use this difficult time to become a source of support and comfort for one another.
Amen.
Love,
Ellie and Tom Marra

To Vicki, Sue and Doug,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.

To the entire Heyliger family...I am so sorry about the loss of Don. He was a good friend for many years. We all will miss him.

Sheryl Renfro Lockwood

My sincerest condolences to Doug and the rest of the family. We spent many wonderful days playing hockey together and Don will be missed. I'm sure it is a very sad time for everyone but I will try and remember all the fun we had together. Love to all; Jeff Thatcher, Sacramento, CA

I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was a great friend and co-worker. He meant a lot to my son Nathan as well as they use to enjoy going to the movies together. Don will be truly missed. Best wishes to his entire family.

Mike,
I sent Doug a note of condolence and a copy of this picture. I told him that some of my happiest memories are of the times I spent with him and Don and all the Holes on and off the ice. Many Ice Holes pictures, including this one, are posted prominently in my home office. I think of them and everyone and the good old days every time I look at them.
Jim

Dear Vickie, Sue, and Doug

It is so sad we lost Donny, Ellie and I send our love and prayers your way.
Donny was a great friend and teammate with a wonderful sense of humor. He always had a smile and a twinkle in his eyes, and you could count on Donny to always have your back, on and off the ice. In Donny's passing he has motivated me to rekindle the relationships that were built in Ann Arbor. Time, distance, pursuit of career, family, all contributed to many of the teammates drifting apart. Donny's passing was a wakeup call of how very precious each day is and in his memory I am dedicating a renewed effort to reach out to teammates and friends to reconnect and stay connected. I am so grateful that Donny, Doug, and I have stayed connected for 45 years.



Story about Donny:
Donny was Ellie's and my Best Man at our wedding.
I remember our rehearsal dinner and Donny's toast, classic Donny. He started off fine, with the appropriate and polite opening remarks, but then that twinkle in eyes was a sign that he was about to cut loose, and cut loose he did. My Mom was about as naïve a Mom could be about what goes on in College, the locker room, road trips, etc. So when Donny started talking about all the shenanigans we pulled off together at Michigan, all the close calls we had with the law, and the time we all got arrested in front of the Village Bell due to a massive snow ball fight, my Mom was as white as a ghost. The wedding party and guests loved it and wanted more, but I escorted Donny away from the microphone, and I remember Donny couldn't stop laughing, because he knew he had just snookered me. His laugh was contagious, I was laughing, Ellie was laughing, and the whole group was laughing so loud one would have thought we were at a comedy club, including my Mom. I will always remember Donny for his great sense of humor, someone that could laugh at himself and make others laugh. We will miss you Donny!

Sue, Vicki and Doug, It is very hard to believe what has happened with Donny. I am so saddened and wish I could be there to hug and share in your celebration of Donny's life and grieve, too. My heart and prayers are sent your way. May you find comfort, strength and peace knowing God is watching over you, as well as, the care from so many around you. I am thinking of such comforting thoughts from everyone who was here when mom passed and how it helped to deal with that very difficult time. God's comfort and peace be with you and all the family and friends who were touched by Donny. I will miss him. Love, Deb

So saddened to hear of Donnie's passing. Enjoyed visiting with him when we out there in September. Have continually been thinking and praying for you, Vicki and family. I know it is a very sad time for everyone, but please keep me informed. Thanks.

Love, Cousin Karen

I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. My heart goes out to the family.

My sympathies and prayers to you Doug especially and your family. I was so saddened to hear this news of the loss of your fine brother.

I am so very sad hearing about Don's passing. He will be missed.

My heart aches for your loss and all of those of us that knew and loved him.
Chris and Phil Stallwood

I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. My condolences to the family.