Harry Ray Heath

Harry Ray Heath, 83, of Sandwich, IL passed away on October 7, 2025, at his home. Many people knew him as Tiny. Harry was born on January 12, 1942, in Sterling, IL to Merle and Anna (Francis) Heath. Harry was raised on the farm in Prophetstown until his parents moved to Polo, IL in 1951, where they continued farming. Harry graduated from Polo Community High School in 1960. Harry enlisted in the United States Army in August 1962 and honorably served his country for 28 months before taking a family hardship and returned home to Polo to help his father on the farm. He was proud to have served his country, even for a short time.

Harry married Helen Bauer of Waterman, IL, on October 31, 1965. Harry and Helen lived in Waterman as Harry owned and ran a gas station in Big Rock for a few years before moving to Dixon. After a year they moved to Morrison where they had a dairy farm for three years. They moved back to Somonauk where he farmed land, grew beans and corn, raised pigs, chickens, and other animals.

In 1989, Harry bought a house in Yorkville on the river. With the help of his son, they remodeled into a beautiful home with two apartments downstairs. Harry was a carpenter before he married Helen and was a carpenter until he retired in November 2001 and belonged to the Carpenter Union Local #916. After Harry retired he moved to Colorado to live and “dab” at old time farming. He LOVED his tractors, especially John Deere, so much that he would show them off in parades and fairs. He most recently entered his John Deere in the Sandwich County Fair, driving it from Sheridan to the fair and back. Harry experienced his first bout of cancer before moving to Peralta, New Mexico to live with his oldest daughter. Harry’s cancer progressed and in 2020 he moved back to Sandwich, Illinois to be near his other children and extended family. He was a member of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Local Union #174, a member of the American Legion Post #0395, and the Sandwich Early Day Engine Club. Harry was also an avid gardener in which he loved to share his crop with friends and family.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law, Donna (Heath) Richard Gillingham, niece Melissa Heath, grandson Dane Michael, and daughter-in-law, Misty (Craddock) Heath.

Harry will be dearly missed by his children, Deanna (Fred) Jaramillo, Dawn Heath, Dan (Gretchen) Heath, Sr., siblings, Darrell (Bunny) Heath, Betty (Steve) Marschang, grandchildren, Danny (Karlee) Heath, Jr., Dalton (Kourtney) Heath; Samantha, Marisa, Diego, Alejandro, Arianna Jaramillo, Paisley Meinert, and great grandchildren, Bennett Heath and Camden Heath. And don’t want to forget the shared beloved dog, Toodles.

Harry will be greatly missed by his Wildwood family and Harry’s children would like to thank Vince, LuAnne, Diana, Dion, and Linda for taking care of him, as he took care of them.

Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Fox Valley Community Services, 1406 Suydam Rd, Sandwich, IL 60548. Arrangements were entrusted to Beverage Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.beveragefamilyfh.com.