Paul B. Hedenberg's Obituary
Paul Bernard Hedenberg, 62, passed away at 12:15am on March 24, 2015 at Decatur Memorial Hospital surrounded by family, after a courageous yearlong battle with cancer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 AM Friday, March 27, 2015 in St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Rev. Rick Weltin as Celebrant. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Thursday in Moran & Goebel Funeral Home with a Vigil Prayer Service at 4:30 PM Thursday.
Paul was born on September 14, 1952 in Decatur, the oldest of three sons born to Frank Hedenberg and Marie Yuetten Hedenberg. He attended St. James elementary school and graduated from St. Teresa High School in 1970. He began working for Norfolk & Western after high school and retired as general foreman at Norfolk Southern in 2011. He cared deeply for the people he worked with and loved to mentor those who worked hard and were passionate about their jobs.
Paul married Patricia Joanne Ross on February 10, 1973 in Decatur and together they raised a family. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patti Hedenberg, son Bryan Hedenberg of Decatur, Bridget Good and her husband Will of Decatur and Ben Hedenberg and his wife Leslie of Webster Groves, Missouri. Paul’s greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren, Grace, Luke, Drew and Katie Hedenberg, all of Webster Groves. He also leaves his brothers, Harold Hedenberg and his wife Shelley of Decatur, Tom Hedenberg and his wife Theresa of Tilton, 5 step-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins to mourn his passing. Paul was a very social person and he made many great friends along the way.
Paul was an accomplished hunter and fisherman throughout his life. He passed on his love and respect of nature to his children and grandchildren. Nothing made him happier than to be in the woods at the start of turkey or deer season. He was also a skilled and dedicated gardener who made some of the best salsa around. Paul loved his family and the Hedenberg house was always one filled with laughter, loud conversations and fun. He spent the last year of his life traveling with Patti, and spending time with the people who mattered most to him. He will be deeply missed.
The family is establishing a trust in Paul’s memory to contribute to his passion of nature conservation and youth hunting.
The family of Paul B. Hedenberg is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur, IL. View the online obituary, share memories, and send condolences to the family at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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