George H. Heim, 92, of Gettysburg, PA, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family on December 8, 2025. He was an amazing man who will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. He was always quick with wit, amazingly intelligent, and always had a fondness for a good, strong cocktail as he told stories at the family dinner table.
Born in the Bronx, NY, to Rose (Heck) Heim and Julius Heim, George was raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey, with his sister, Rosemary Louise (Marylou) Smith. George attended St. Mary’s High School in Rutherford, New Jersey. His affinity for understanding the ins and outs of how things were built and worked led him to continue his education at Stevens Technical Institute in Hoboken, NJ, where he earned his degree in mechanical engineering. Working both domestically and internationally, George worked tirelessly as an engineer for Ingersoll-Rand, De Laval Turbine, and Worthington Pump Inc., before starting his own company in 1974. One of the things that seamlessly weaves throughout his work history was his ability to use his planning and marketing skills to make successful projects out of ideas that were once dismissed as hopeless and unprofitable.
George was a member of the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1958. During his enlistment, he piloted single-engine planes and was a Senior Director Weapons Controller at Stallings Air Force Base in Caribou, Maine. He was charged with overseeing four different crews of 20-25 men, and as he put it so eloquently, “was assigned problem men because he had the ability to straighten them right out”. As a result of his accomplishments, George was offered a Regular commission as an officer and was promoted to Captain.
One of George’s great passions was giving back to the community that he loved so much. He was very heavily involved with St. Francis Xavier Church, first as an extraordinary minister, then later as the co-chair of the capital campaign to build the Xavier Center. George also sat on the board for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania and The Gettysburg Hospital.
George met the love of his life, Barbara Graham, a nursing student from New York, at a “mixer” in Hoboken. George always told the story describing Barbara as “the prettiest girl in the room!” and never failed to call her “his gorgeous bride” throughout their 7-decade-long marriage. George was a devoted husband and father, and along with Barbara raised four wonderful children. George was also blessed with four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.
George was always the great storyteller in the room, and his passion for sharing his stories with his friends and loved ones was evident in his love of entertaining others. Family holiday meals were always a mainstay in George’s life, and he always enjoyed the love and laughter of friends and family, whether it was through his bridge club or grilling in the backyard with friends.
George is pre-deceased by his wife Barbara and survived by his daughter Carol (Heim) Fella, wife of Alan Fella, of Kempton, PA, Judy Heim Reiley, wife of Thomas Reiley, of Lebanon, PA, and Robert J. “R.J.” Heim, of Providence, RI. He is pre-deceased by son William Heim, who passed away in November of 2004, and sister Marylou Smith, who passed away in January of 2023.
George is also survived by grandchildren Kristin (Ponte) Shean, wife of Ken Bilheimer, of Whitehall, PA; Michael Ponte, of Boston, MA; Elizabeth (Reiley) Sentz, wife of Jeffrey Sentz, of York, PA; and Jeremy Reiley, husband of Dina (Pacilio) Reiley of Toms River, NJ; and great-grandchildren Derek Shean, Logan Shean, Kalleigh Sentz, Addison Sentz, Georgio Pizzuti, and Dante Reiley.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Francis Xavier Church in George and Barbara’s memory.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 25 W. High Street, Gettysburg, PA. Burial will be in Mount Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg, MD. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the Mass on Tuesday morning at the church. The Monahan Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements and online tributes and condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.