Heil, Eugene, 006 (1934-2024)
Biography
Early Life
Eugene David Heil was born 11 November 1934 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.[1] His parents were John Conrad Heil and Anna Maude Shoener, who were in the process of moving from their birthplace and childhood home in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, to the Black Hills, trying to find new opportunity in the midst of the Great Depression. Gene was born during this period of transition at the home of his maternal aunt, Nel Shoener.[2]
He had two siblings, his older brother Terrence (Terry), and younger brother Thomas (Tom).
Eugene grew up in close proximity to his grandparents and many extended family members. His maternal grandparents, Grant Shoener and Nellie Brady, lived in the household for his whole childhood.[3][4]
Shortly after his birth in Belle Fourche in 1934, his family settled in a small log house in Roubaix, South Dakota.[5] By 1940, however, they had relocated to Rapid City, where his father John found economic opportunity as an automobile mechanic.[3]
Young Adulthood
Gene had a short-lived career in the United States Air Force in the late 1950s. According to his own account, he was involved in the crashing of an aircraft, which contributed to his exit from the USAF.
Gene attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. During that time, he met Mary Frances Bushnell through her older brother, John William Bushnell, Jr. Gene and Mary Frances announced their engagement in May 1960, and were married on 27 August 1960 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sioux City, Iowa.[6][7]
Early Married Life and Children
Gene and Mary Frances made their first home in Chamberlain, South Dakota after their marriage, renting out a portion of a home located at 303 1/2 East Kellam Ave.[7] Gene worked as a banker in that time. Their first child, Theresa, was born in early 1961.
In early 1962, the family relocated to Los Angeles, California. His son Mark was born in 1962, and his daughter Patricia in 1964. Between 1964 and 1968, the family relocated to Delano. During this time, Gene continued working as a banker.
In 1971, the family relocated again, this time to Boise, Idaho. They resided at 4911 N Sandee Ave in Boise. A fire gutted three rooms of the family home on 6 September 1975; the family and pets were unharmed.[8]
Later Adulthood
Around 1980, Gene and Mary Frances bought their final residence at 5870 Sterling Dr in Garden City, and moved there. Gene continued working as a banker, and became a significant investor in a number of companies, including the local microchip maker Micron at a time that the company was in financial difficulties.
Gene was elected to the Garden City Council in the 1990s.
He was the main principal and CEO of the regional air freight company Western Air Express, starting from the 1990s up to his final years.
His wife Mary Frances died 28 Jan 2017 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Gene was an avid boater, a hobby inherited from his father, and owned a series of boats. He and Mary Frances owned a cabin in McCall, initially jointly with friends, and later outright, at which they spent a lot of time especially in the summer.
Gene and Mary Frances enjoyed auto rallying and classic and unusual cars (of which they had many). They also greatly enjoyed playing the stock market.[9]
Death and Burial
Gene died 17 September 2024 at his home, located at 5870 Sterling Dr, in Garden City, Idaho.[9] He was buried in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise on 4 October 2024.[10]
Sources
[1] South Dakota, Department of Health, Standard Certificate of Birth no. 419062 (1934), Butte County, Eugene Dave Heil, born 11 Nov 1934; issued 2 Mar 1983 to Eugene Heil; available at https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/sources/viewedit/7QBP-B1Q
[2] Statement made by Gene Heil during a family gathering, approximately 2023
[3] "United States, Census, 1940", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V191-YY8 : Wed Jan 22 10:15:43 UTC 2025), Entry for John Heil and Anna Heil, 1940.
[4] "United States, Census, 1950", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6F9N-JW16 : Tue Mar 19 16:48:36 UTC 2024), Entry for John C Heil and Anna Heil, 10 April 1950.
[5] "South Dakota, State Census, 1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MV41-YR7 : Mon Jan 20 13:19:13 UTC 2025), Entry for Eugene Heil, 1935.
[6] State of Iowa County of Woodbury, Marriage Certificate of Eugene David Heil and Mary Frances Bushnell (27 Aug 1960), issued 1960, citing no book or page number; available from https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/sources/viewedit/7JST-KW4 ; original privately held by Brian May Martinez, 2025.
[7] Keepsake Album and Memory Scrapbook of the Wedding of Eugene David Heil and Mary Frances Bushnell (27 Aug 1960); compiled by Mary Frances Bushneil; available from https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/sources/viewedit/7JS1-T2F ; original privately held by Brian May Martinez, 2025.
[8] "Cat Blamed for Blaze Which Gutted Home, 7 Sep 1975, The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho), page 46; available from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-fire-burning-the-hei/174978070/?xid=637&_gl=1*dnbbqg*_gcl_au*MTI3OTY0NjQ0My4xNzQ0MjY1Mzgx*_ga*MTY2ODY4MzIzMi4xNzI4Mjc0Nzg0*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*czY1YmUyN2ExLTQ0MDEtNDgzOS1hODliLWVhZmRmOGY3MmMzYyRvMjE1JGcxJHQxNzUwNTI4MDI5JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*czY1YmUyN2ExLTQ0MDEtNDgzOS1hODliLWVhZmRmOGY3MmMzYyRvMjE1JGcxJHQxNzUwNTI4MDI5JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..
[9] Obituary of Eugene Heil, Idaho Statesman, published between 18 and 19 Sep 2024, available from: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/idahostatesman/name/eugene-heil-obituary?id=56332203
[10] Eugene David Heil, Findagrave memorial, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/275208345/eugene-david-heil