Olive Heimburger

Olive M. Heimburger age 94 of Ithaca, MI, passed away Sunday, September 10, 2017, at Schnepp Health Care Center, St. Louis, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor John Eich officiating.  Burial will take place at Fritz Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.

Olive was born March 5, 1923, the daughter of Wallace and Alice (Ferrall) Sellers. When she was two years old, her mother died, and she and her sister, Arlene, age 4 were welcomed into the home of their aunt and uncle, William and Bessie (Derby) Ferrall to be raise as their children. A baby brother, Clement, was raised by another aunt.

On August 3, 1940 Olive married Wilfred Heimburger and celebrated 57 years with him until his death on March 4, 1998.  She was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alma and was very active in community service organizations.  Olive's 51 years of employment in Gratiot County began at McCormack's Department Store, followed by Union Telephone Company, Rademacher Sales, Mike Pung Motor Sales, and Den Cooper Chevrolet. She was happiest when helping someone. She loved the young and respected and admired the elderly. Family was very important to her.

In the early 80's she coordinated neighborhood community gatherings in the new farm shop honoring couples married 50+ years and everyone over age 80. Over 250 neighbors and friends were welcomed with a giant picnic and local entertainment which became an annual affair for eight years.

Olive is survived by son Donald (Susan) Heimburger of Ithaca, daughter Sue Kostal of Davenport, WA, grandsons; Steven (Lisa) Heimburger of Ithaca, David (Lori) Heimburger of Grand Rapids, Michael (Lucy) Heimburger of Iowa, John Kostal of Texas, Matthew Kostal of Washington, and granddaughter Jennifer (Clint) Gallon of Arizona, also by her great grandchildren; Brittany Heimburger, Stone, Fisher and Roman Heimburger, Chloe and Clancy Kostal, and Zander Kostal. Her great great grandchildren are Dante and Dominic Buccilli from Arizona. Her brother Clement Sellers of Owosso also survives her.  In addition to her parents, adopted parents and husband, Olive was preceded in death by her son-in-law Douglas Kostal, sister Arlene Gladstone and step sister Irene Hill.

Memorials may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Alma, MI. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI.