Deceased Classmate: Craig Heyl (1967)
Date Deceased: 4-27-2008
Age at Death: 59
Cause of Death:
Classmate City: Hinsdale
Classmate State: IL
Classmate Country: USA
Survived By:

Craig Waddington Heyl, 59, a longtime “off and on” resident of Terre Haute, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2008, at his home in Hinsdale, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. He was born to Charles W. MacLean and Geraldine Belles MacLean on Sept. 4, 1948, in Terre Haute. He was the grandson of Carl W. and Blanche Belles, also longtime residents of Terre Haute. Carl W. Belles was the executive manager of the American Can Company upon its opening in Terre Haute in the late 1920s. Mr. Heyl’s infant and early years were spent in Terre Haute and Brazil, prior to his family’s relocation to New Orleans in the late 1950s. Upon the dissolution of his parent’s marriage, Mr. Heyl, with his mother and younger twin brothers, returned to Terre Haute, where he attended Woodrow Wilson Junior High School. Mr. Heyl’s mother remarried to Varnum A. Heyl, a Terre Haute car dealer, and subsequently relocated to Carmel, and then to North Palm Beach, Fla. Varnum A. Heyl legally adopted Craig and his twin brothers, thus changing their surname to Heyl in 1964. Upon his graduation from Riviera Beach (Florida) High School in 1967, Mr. Heyl attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he earned a master of arts degree in Journalism in 1972. While a student at the University, Mr. Heyl was a “Brother” of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He met and married a “Sister” of Chi Mu Sorority, Kathy Shewchuk, of Miramar, Fla., in 1971. Upon graduation, Craig W. Heyl embarked upon a career focused on the automotive industry. He initiated his career in the retail dealership level and rapidly moved to a 35-year career at the executive level of various automotive manufacturers including Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan/Lexus, Volvo, Kia, and Volkswagen of America and finally as Director of Global Distribution for Bentley/Rolls Royce. Recognizing the need for alternative energy sources for vehicular transportation, Mr. Heyl assumed the position of Vice Counsel for Trade and Investment for the British Consulate in Chicago. He was responsible for the liaison between the United States and British Commonwealth companies for the development of alternative vehicular fuel sources. Mr. Heyl is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Michele Heyl, an accomplished figure ice skater and a graduate of University of Michigan with a bachelor of science degree in Biology. Ms. Heyl subsequently received her degree as a medical doctor from Wayne State University School of Medicine and is currently completing her internship as a dermatologist at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Mich. Mr. Heyl also is survived by his younger twin brothers, Bruce W. Heyl and his two daughters, Lainey and Julia, of Redding, Conn.; and Scott P. Heyl and his life partner, Marie Burkhart, of Worthington, Mass.; uncle, Robert Belles of Lebanon; a stepsister, Sandra Mason, of St. Louis; and cousins, Geraldine “Gerri” Batman Varner and her husband Allen of Terre Haute, Debra Belles Hofland and her husband John of Linville, N.C., Dawn Wetzel and her husband Tom of Lebanon, Debbie Nelson and her husband Paul of Wisconsin, Sheryl Sell and her husband James of Indianapolis, and Bradley Belles of Indianapolis