Earl Dean Heberer

Earl Dean Heberer, 70, of Marion, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

Earl was born on October 25, 1952, in East St. Louis, Illinois, the son of Raymond and Violet (Recklein) Heberer.  He married the love of his life, Cheryl Koblitz on June 12, 1976, at Unity Roselawn Baptist Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Earl was a 1970 graduate of Belleville East High School.  He attended McKendree College and received a bachelor’s degree in music. He also attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. After his schooling, he first worked for Villa Hills Church in Belleville, Illinois, in the music and youth departments. He later took a position at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Illinois for three years. In 1984, he began his career at Third Baptist Church in Marion, Illinois, where he worked in music and education until his retirement in 2011.  Earl dedicated his life to ministry, teaching Sunday School and mentoring and influencing the lives of many people.

Earl was a member of First Baptist Church in Marion.  He has assisted and traveled with many youth groups on mission trips over the years.  He enjoyed sharing his love of Christ, bass fishing, hunting for geese and ducks, playing golf, and even entered some amateur fishing tournaments during his college days.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Heberer; his daughter, Brynn Heberer; his sister, Beverly (Bobby) Cox; and his stepsister, Vickie Parker; and his stepbrothers, Dennis (Sue) Parker, Terry (Michelle) Parker, along with other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Violet; his stepfather, Raymond Parker; and two brothers.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at the First Baptist Church, located at 401 West Union Street in Marion, Illinois.  Memorial services will follow at 3:00 PM with Rev. Bob Dickerson, officiating. Binkley-Ross Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with arrangements.