Posted by Terry Powers on December 21, 2022:

Edward J. Heesacker, 89, a former longtime resident of Oceanside, late of Portland, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 4, 2013 at the Regency Park Assisted Living Facility in Portland. A Graveside service with full Military Honors will be held on Monday, Dec. 9, 2013 at 9 a.m. at the Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mount Scott Boulevard in Portland, with Chaplain Melinda Smith, with Serenity Hospice, officiating. Edward was born on Aug. 28, 1924 in Wilkesboro, Ore., the son of the late Anthony Edward and LaVerna Agnes (Vanderzanden) Heesacker. He was raised on the family homestead on Green Mountain in Manning, Ore. and received his education in the Banks community, having been a graduate of Banks High School Class of 1942. Upon his graduation he enlisted in the United States Army on July 20, 1943 in Portland.He served for two years in the 24th Co., 1st Stu Tag Regiment in Normandy, until he received his invitation to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated from West Point in 1949. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force having served over 20 years. Following his discharge he attended the California Institute of Technology where he received his Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Edward then re-enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves and served as an Engineer until August 28, 1984, when he received his honorable discharge at the rank of Colonel. Edward was united in marriage to Rosemary A. Silva on June 7, 1949 at the Chapel in West Point, New York. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this past year. Following their marriage they made their home in the Brigham City, Utah in 1958. In the period between, Edward was stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Florida, Ohio and California. He worked as an aerospace engineer for Morton Thiokol in Brigham City for 17 years until his retirement in 1976. Following his retirement they moved to Oceanside, where they resided until 2010 when they became guest residents at the Regency Park Assisted Living Facility in Portland, where they have resided since. Edward was raised in the Catholic faith. He volunteered for the Civil Air Patrol and served on the Planning Commission in Brigham City, Utah and Tillamook County. He is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony Edward and LaVerna Agnes Heesacker and his two brothers, Delbert Heesacker and Jerry Heesacker and his sister, Marian O'Neill. Survivors include his wife, Rosemary A. Heesacker, of Portland, Ore.; his three children and a spouse, Toni Cole, of Seattle, Wash., Jan Heesacker Chambers and her husband, Jim, of Bend, and Eric Heesacker, of Talent, Ore.; his three sisters, Gladys Murrell, of Portland, Ore., Mary Catherine Wiebusch, of Seattle, Wash. and Luci Wells, of Portland, and his brother, Glenn Heesacker, of Port Orford, Ore. Also surviving are his three grandchildren and a spouse, Peter and Jesalyn Cole, of Prosser, Wash., Tyree Heesacker, of Ashland, and Zoe Heesacker, of Ashland; his two great grandchildren, Piper Cole and MaKenna Cole and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996-9910, in his memory. Source: www.tillamookheadlightherald.com

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