Obituary of Karl P. Heitzinger

HEITZINGER, Karl Peter, Sr. Karl Peter Heitzinger, Sr., of Weirsdale, died Saturday, March 5th in Knoxville TN at UTMC, after a brief illness. He was 69. Karl was born in Hohenpeissenberg Germany on September 14, 1941, only child of the late Karl & Maria Heitzinger. He came to America at the age of 22 and worked as a pastry chef in various resorts, settling in Tampa, as a chef at The Old Swiss House, Busch Gardens in 1967. He met and married wife Earlene in 1968, raising 5 kids together, owning his own bakery for several years, and later, managing for Publix bakery in Tampa for 25 years. Karl was a member of Meadowbrook Church Ocala. Karl is survived by his wife, Earlene Heitzinger of Weirsdale; son and daughter-in-law, Bruce & Mary Heitzinger of Dover FL; son and daughter-in-law, Bob & Cindy Franks of Tampa FL; son and daughter-in-law, Karl & Angie Heitzinger of Tampa FL; daughter and son-in-law, Terri & Jim Harrison of Ocala FL; daughter and son-in-law, Alicia & Tim Gilligan of Ocala FL; grandchildren - Amanda Harrison, Ashley Shepherd, Lee Gilligan, Alyce Gilligan, Alexis Weir, Josh Gilligan, Carrie Heitzinger, Michaela Franks, Greta Gilligan, Peter Heitzinger, Emma Heitzinger and Gabe Gilligan; great grandson, Gavin Gilligan; and many friends & family members, both in the US and in Germany. Karl's viewing will be held Friday, March 11th at Hiers Baxley Funeral Services, 910 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, from 5 to 7 p.m. Karl's funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 12th at 10 a.m., at Meadowbrook Church, 4741 SW 20th St. Ocala, with Pastor Tim Gilligan officiating. Karl will be laid to rest at Nichols Cemetery in Oxford FL.