John B. Heroux, a long time resident of Manheim Township and for the past 7 years a resident of St. Anne's Retirement Community died Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at the age of 94. John was the widower of Elizabeth (Fitzgibbons) Heroux, his wife of 66 years, who died Feb. 2, 2004.

Born in Oconto, WI," Bernard", as he was known by his family, was the fourth of nine children of the late Joseph and Mary (Tucker) Heroux. He is predeceased by his brothers Paul, Joseph, Vincent, Francis, and Robert Heroux, and by two sisters, Mary Belleau and Helen Murphy

A graduate of Oconto H.S., John went on to earn a BA degree in Business Administration from Carroll College, Waukeshau, WI, in 1936. He then began a 43 year career with the Heil Co. of Milwaukee, WI, retiring in 1979. John worked as an accountant and purchasing agent at Heil in Hillside NJ, in their National Account Sales Office in New York City, and moved to Lancaster in 1956 to become the manager of the Heil Co. plant there.

He married his college sweetheart Elizabeth Fitzgibbons, in New Jersey in 1937 and together raised six children who all survive him: John, widower of Elizabeth Selitto, Bedford NH, Jeanne, wife of Henry Daecher, Kutztown,PA; James Ray, husband of Joey Miller, McVeytown, PA, Terry, wife of Alvis Ziedonis, Mountain Top, Pa, Barbara, wife of William Neely, San Francisco, and Gregory, husband of Joanne Yost, Suwanee, GA

John was a member of St. Anne's Church, Lancaster where he served on many committees and was chairman of the church council for two years. He was also a member of the choir, serving as choir director for 6 years, and was a Eucharistic Minister. John was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Serra Club.

He also was a Manheim Twp. commissioner from 1980-1987, serving as the commissioner for parks and recreation, and as its president for 2 years He also served on the Board of Trustees at Millersville State College and was instrumental is starting the business program there. John was also a member of the Lancaster Area Manufacturer's Assoc., and the PA Motor Truck Assoc.

In addition to his children John is survived by his sister Dorothy Merline, Green Bay WI, and 13 grandchildren: Mary Beth O'Malley, Jay Heroux, Jeffrey Daecher, Andrew Daecher.,Michael Daecher, Jennifer Montero, Kristen Buchanan, Nicole Gregory, Renee Eicher, Adam Ziedonis, Travis Ziedonis, Lauren Heroux and David Heroux and 19 great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Saint Anne's Catholic Church, 929 North Duke Street Lancaster, on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at 11:00AM with Rev. Norman C. Hohenwarter as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's New Catholic Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Monday, April 13, 2009, at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz from 7-9PM. A Christian Prayer Service will take place at 8:30PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to Saint Anne's Retirement Community, 3952 Columbia Avenue Columbia, PA 17512 or to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604. To send an online condolence please visit: snyderfuneralhome.com