John F. Heiss' Obituary
John Frederick Heiss of St. Clair, age 90, died peacefully at home in St. Clair on June 6, 2011, in the presence of his wife, many family members, and his devoted caregiver. He was born July 2, 1920 in Altoona, PA to the late Frederick and Frieda (Hausser) Heiss. He married Joann B. Fedje on August 12, 1951, in Hoople, ND.
Dr. Heiss served in the U.S. Army Engineer Corps during World War II and worked on the Manhattan Project. He later taught and received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
A registered professional engineer, Dr. Heiss joined Diamond Crystal Salt Company in 1960 as Director—Research, Development and Quality Assurance and retired in 1985 as Vice President of Research and Development. He received ten U.S. patents covering salt processes and products. Earlier, he was employed by Westvaco Chlor-Alkali Division of FMC and later with Stauffer Chemical Company.
Dr. Heiss was consistently involved with community organizations including the East China Board of Education, Boy Scouts, Rotary Club, and his church council and choir. He loved to camp, and he traveled throughout the United States and Canada with his family. He was an avid stamp collector, gardener and fisherman.
He is survived by his wife, Joann, of St. Clair; daughter Ann H. Schulte (David) of Williamsburg, VA; son Paul F. Heiss (Lois) of Mequon, WI; son Dr. John D. Heiss (Heather) of Potomac, MD; daughter Mary E. Heiss (Mark Edwards) of Arlington, VA; and son Eric N. Heiss (Jennifer) of Clyde, MI. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and brother-in-law Noel I. (Judy) Fedje. He was preceded in death by two sisters,
Elizabeth H. Folk and Renetta F. Heiss.
Visiting Hours: 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM, Friday, June 10. L.C. Friederichs Funeral Home, St. Clair. In state Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Clair from 10:30 AM until service at 11 AM, Rev. Alan Schieger officiating Burial in Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the American Bible Society.
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