Clair Heisler

Clair “Bingo” Heisler 89 years of age Died March 23, 2006 in the home of his Grand Daughter Mrs. Stacey D’Amico in Wernersville, Pennsylvania. Bingo’s wife of 64 years Ethel A.L. (Sinn) Heisler, 87 years of age died Saturday March 25, 2006 in Reading Hospital Reading, Pennsylvania. High School sweet hearts, they parented to two wonderful children. Their daughter Ann L., wife of Bernard Toth of Upper Darby, Pa and their son Daniel C. Heisler who died January 2, 2002 after 34 years as a quadriplegic from a local swimming accident. Caring for Danny became their life purpose at their home on North Lehigh Street Tamaqua, Pa. They all shared a love for the outdoors, sports and especially fishing trips to local Ponds.
“Bingo” was born in Tamaqua, to the late Clarence and Elizabeth (Nahf) Heisler. He was a 1935 Graduate of Tamaqua High School. As a member of the 1934 football squad Bingo took a hand off from then quarterback Butch Kleckner to score the first Touch Down ever scored in the new Tamaqua High School Stadium. Upon moving to Wernersville he and Butch Kleckner reconnected to share memories of the day.
Bingo was a WWII Army veteran serving in the 1484 Supply and Maintenance Company. He retired from the former Atlas Powder Co, working from Jan. 9, 1947 to his retirement 34 years later, retiring as ARDL Powder Operator.
His community activities included Knee-Hi football coach, Life member of the American Hose Fire Company Tamaqua. Additionally, he served over 40 years in Scouting. While active in scouting he was Assistant Scout Leader of Troop 76 Zion’s Lutheran Church, serving as First Aid Instructor, member of the Arrow, Merit Badge Counselor, and attended several Camporees. He was a member of the Camping Committee in the former Appalachian Trail Council, and served on the district level of the former Franklin Dist. He received the District Award for Merit bestowed to volunteer leaders and the Silver Beaver award. In 1981 he received the Lamb Award, which is the highest award in Scouting presented by the Lutheran Church.
A member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tamaqua, he served on the church council; serving on the pulpit, worship, youth, stewardship, and social ministry committees as well as usher’s association and the care corps, which visits and prays with congregation members who are sick or hospitalized.
Clair was preceded in death by his parents and son, and five brothers; Joseph, Charles, Lester, Ronald and John Heisler.
Ethel A.L. (Sinn) Heisler who died Saturday March 25, 2006 was born in Tamaqua, PA to the late Chirs and Anna (Rinker) Sinn. She too worked for the former Atlas Powder Co. until retirement.
Ethel was a 1936 graduate of Tamaqua High School where she was a member of the Ladies Drum and Bugle Corps. A lifelong member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Tamaqua she belonged to the Margaret Banning Bible Class.
Ethel was preceded in death her son Daniel C. Heisler, Brothers Vernon and Robert Sinn, and Sisters Mrs. Helen Hetrick, and Dorothy Leidinger.
Mr. and Mrs. Heisler are survived by their daughter Ann L., and son-in-law Bernard Toth of Upper Darby, PA ,Ethel’s Brother, Kenneth C. Sinn and his wife Jean of Tamaqua, Pa. Four Grandchildren and Five Great Grandchildren.
Joint Funeral Services: A Rite of Christian Burial officiated by the Reverend Fred T. Crawford will be held on Thursday March 30, 2006 at 11 o’clock AM from the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Greenwood & Mauch Chunk Streets Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Calling Hours: E. Franklin Griffiths & Robert C. Reeser Funeral Home, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252 Wed. March 29, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and in church Thurs., from 10 o’clock Am until time of services.
Memorials in their honor to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Tamaqua. Pa.
Interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery Tamaqua, Pa. with Clair to receive Military Honors.
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