June 10, 2011
Deacon William Heberling dies at age 50
Deacon William Leo Heberling died June 4 in Evansville. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 7 at St. Agnes Church with Bishop-emeritus Gerald A. Gettelfinger presiding with the priests and deacons of the diocese.
Deacon Heberling was born April 11, 1961, in Heidelberg, Germany, the son of Ron Heberling and Renata Kollmar. He grew up in Tower City, Pa., where he was raised by his grandparents, Leo and Doris Heberling.
He moved to Evansville in the mid 1980s and worked in the health care profession, first at Warrick Hospital and then later at St. Mary’s in Evansville. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with majors in psychology and sociology and a minor in criminal justice. He completed his studies for the diaconate through St. Meinrad School of Theology. He was pursuing a masters degree when he became ill.
Bill was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Evansville July 9, 2005. He served particularly the westside communities of St. Agnes, Sacred Heart and St. Boniface churches. He also assisted with hospital ministry at St. Mary’s and in jail ministry at various locations. He participated in the Churches Embracing Offenders program and regularly conducted worship services at the State Hospital.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his grandfather Leo Heberling. He is survived by his grandmother, Doris, by his siblings, John, Carol and Brenda and by his close friends, Tom Harness, Nancy Hawkins and Sister Sylvia Gehlhausen.