JILL HEILMAN

Born in Weirton, Jill was the fourth of five children born to Richard H. “Dick” and Ella Mae Simmons Heilman. She grew up on Laurel Circle and attended Broadview School and Weir Junior High School, graduating from Weir High School with the Class of 1978.

After high school, Jill ventured west to Arizona, where she pursued her education and became a Respiratory Therapist. She later returned home and devoted many years to caring for others through her work at Saint John’s Hospital in Steubenville. Her professional career was tragically cut short following a serious automobile accident in 1991, which left her unable to continue working in the field she loved.

Jill had a lifelong love for animals, especially dogs. From an early age, she was known for bringing home stray dogs in need of care, a compassion that stayed with her throughout her life. As an adult, she found great joy in helping care for and walk dogs for friends, family, and others, always putting their needs before her own.

Family was the center of Jill’s life. She especially cherished the annual Heilman family vacations to her “happy place,” Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Jill enjoyed golfing, a passion she shared with both her mother and father, and she loved spending quiet time watching Law & Order and Fox News. Some of her most treasured memories were made in the kitchen alongside her mother, baking cookies and nut rolls. When her nieces and nephews were young, Jill lovingly helped care for them, creating bonds and memories that will be cherished forever.

Jill was preceded in death by her father, Richard H. “Dick” Heilman, who passed away on March 13, 2018 and her nephew Jon “Ryan” Heilman who passed away on September 6, 2024.

She will be remembered with love by her mother, Ella Mae Heilman; her brothers, Mike (Virginia) Heilman, Jon (Laura) Heilman, and Jim Heilman; her sister, Pam (Mike) McDonald; seven nieces and nephews; and fourteen great- nieces and great- nephews.

Private services will be held at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton.

In honor of Jill’s deep love for animals, memorial contributions may be made to the Hancock County or Brooke County Animal Shelters.

Share tributes with her family at www. grecohertnick.com.