Billie Mae (Ruhl) Heavner

Billie Mae Ruhl Heavner, 90, of Springfield, left this world peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on December 11, 2019 at Memorial Medical Center.

She was born in Springfield on May 28, 1929 the daughter of Vivian E. Vest Ruhl and Kenneth F. Rule.

She graduated from Lanphier High School in 1947 and was employed by C. Keith Smith Insurance (formerly Wilson Bros) until retirement age. She was also a member of South Side Christian Church most of her life. She married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth R. Wheeler, in 1949, with whom she had one daughter, Cynthia. They later divorced.

Billie was an honest person with a great sense of humor who enjoyed spending time with her family.

Preceding her in death were her beloved sister, Dolores J. Ruhl Southard in1968, both parents; three aunts; one uncle; and three cousins (on maternal side).

She was also preceded in death by husbands, Ed Kruthaupt, John Herter, and Forrest Heavner. Someone suggested it was her cooking that did it. Just kidding mom, love you!

Billie is survived by her wonderful daughter Cynthia Wheeler; nieces, Marla Dowdell and Carolyn Wetzel; grandchildren, Kyle Graham (Linda Tester), Catherine Paisley (Paul), Karen Earl (George), Gary Anderson (Samantha), Crystal Micheletta (Mike Gay) and Jacob Barnard; in addition to sixteen great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home with Reverend Brandon Moore officiating.  Burial will be at a later date at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Please send memorial donations to the American Kidney Fund at KidneyFund.org in her honor. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billie Mae (Ruhl) Heavner, please visit our floral store.