Lyle Dean Heit, 78, of Atwood, IL, passed away at 1:15 p.m., Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 14, 2013 at the Zion United Church of Christ, 701 North County Road 250 East, Arthur, IL, with Rev. Dennis Hanner and Rev. Kenneth Roedder officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, January 13, 2013 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, IL with Masonic Services at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Zion Cemetery with military graveside rites accorded.

Lyle was born on November 19, 1934 in Garrett Township, IL, the son of Orval C. and Leola K. Frahm Heit. He married Patricia Ann Fisher on January 26, 1958 in Hammond, IL. She survives.

Other survivors include his daughters: Crystal (Norm) Willoughby of Tuscola, IL, Lisa (Roger) Kibler of Mapleton, IL and Alana (Tony) Chapman of Bolingbrook, IL, AFS daughter: Kerstin Soderstrom of Norway, grandchildren: Wade Willoughby, Michael Willoughby, Peyton Chapman, Jenna Chapman and Kourtney Chapman, step-grandchildren: Nickolas Willoughby and Jeremy Willoughby, step-great-grandchildren: Jeremy Willoughby, Jr. and Keegan Willoughby, sisters: Mary Fern Carlyle of Tuscola, IL and Darlene Harshbarger of Decatur, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials are suggested to the Zion United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 252, Arthur, IL 61911

Lyle was baptized on November 25, 1934 in the home of his parents. He was confirmed on May 16, 1948 at the Zion United Church of Christ.

Lyle worked as a farmer all of his life and he was proud to continue the family tradition of farming of 150 years. The Heit family farm was the 1980 Conservation Farm of the Year.

He graduated from Atwood-Hammond High School in 1952. Lyle served in the US Army from 1954 to 1956, being stationed in Germany. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1961 with degree in Animal Science.

Lyle was a member, Sunday School teacher and board member of the Zion United Church of Christ. He was a member of the Atwood-Hammond School Board for 16 years. Lyle served on the Soil and Water Conservation Board, Douglas County Farm Bureau, Illini FS Board, Douglas County Extension Board, Pheasants Forever, director and past secretary of the Garrett Township Cemetery Association and Bache Chapel, Garrett Township Drainage Commissioner and Atwood Masonic Lodge #651, AF & AM.

Lyle enjoyed deer hunting, collecting coins, license plates, and cigar boxes. Lyle loved his farm, family and supporting his children and grandchildren by attending their activities.

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