Gary Glenn Heitmann, age 81 of Markesan, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at Barrett House in Markesan.

A memorial gathering for Gary will be held on Thursday, October 28, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until noon at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 181 S. Main St., Markesan.

Gary was born in Ripon on April 15, 1940, the son of Glenn Carl and Lorraine Helene (Henke) Heitmann. He was raised on his father's farm with three brothers and two sisters. He began studying the Bible early in his life and was baptized in 1956 as a Jehovah's Witness, devoting his life to the religion and embracing it until his passing. On December 26, 1961, he was united in marriage to Dorris Jane P'Poole, with whom he would raise seven children.

Early on, Gary did some freelance news reporting and photography for area newspapers. His passion for photography was evidenced by the vast collection of pictures he amassed of family, friends, and local events throughout the years. In 1966, he graduated from the UW Agronomy short course and in 1972, he completed a Binks Spray Painting course in Louisville, KY, both becoming his two main occupations in life. He would go on to manage the agronomy department at Grand River Co-Op from 1967 until 1987 and then moved on to Olsen's Mill in Auroraville as the agronomy department manager from 1987 until 1994. During this time, he also established his own sandblasting and spray-painting business, which he ran with his oldest son, Scott, for 25 years. After retiring from the fertilizer business, he spent his time taking care of his wife and working for the Fire & Safety Equipment out of Wautoma as a sales and service technician.

Gary is survived by his seven children, Scott Heitmann, Forrest (Londa) Heitmann, Michael Heitmann, Caleb Heitmann, Trudy (Scott) Schettle, Michelle Heitmann, and Valerie (Duane) Hickman; six grandchildren, Michael, Heather, Hailey, DJ, McKenzie, and Jessie; siblings, Kurt (Vicki) Heitmann, Myron Heitmann, Gail (Richard) Govero, and Jean Ann (John) Bradley; nieces, Shelby and Angela; nephews, Derrick, Zachary and JG; brother-in-law, Jimmie P'Poole; niece-in-law, Christy; nephews-in-law, Ricky and Johnny; and further survived by other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Lorraine; his wife of 59 years, Dorris Jane; brother, Glenn Jr.; sister-in-law, Becky P'Poole Brown; and other relatives.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Markesan is honored to be serving the family.