October 5, 1925 – October 6, 2019

George William Heusinger went to his heavenly home on October 6, 2019 while at Community Pride Care Center in Battle Creek. He was welcomed by Jesus just hours after his 94th birthday. George was born to Joseph and Marie Mech Heusinger on October 5, 1925, in Marinette, Wisconsin. Though they had to work hard during the Depression years, George and his siblings, Howard, Marjorie, and Vernon, enjoyed many family times fishing, hiking and blueberry picking along the woodland shores of Lake Michigan. George particularly loved harmonizing with aunts, uncles, and cousins while watching the sun slowly sink into the water.

George graduated from Marinette High in 1943 and was offered a position with the U.S. government. This he turned down because World War II had begun, and he wanted to enlist in the Navy. He completed basic training and Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes Naval Base near Chicago. During this time, he was chosen to be a part of the Blue Jackets Choir, which sang for the national navy radio program each week, as well as services on the base. After graduating with an HA3c rating, George was sent to St. Albans Naval Hospital on Long Island, where he helped care for approximately 2,500 wounded sailors each month.

One Saturday evening he took a trip into New York City which would forever change his life. Strolling through Times Square, he was captivated by music coming from one of the storefronts. After being invited inside Jack Wyrtzen’s “Word of Life”, he heard from the Bible God’s loving plan to send Jesus to die for the sins of the whole world, including George Heusinger. He knew he was not good enough on his own and needed Jesus to get to heaven. That night he asked Jesus to be his Savior. Immediately George was consumed with the need to share this wonderful salvation with everyone he could. He was lovingly discipled by Dawson Trautman, the founder of the Navigators’ Ministry.

Family Memories of George Heusinger

It was not long after this that George was transferred to Sampson Naval Hospital in Geneva, NY, to be the secretary to the commanding officer. Finding three Christian friends, he started the Callaghan Quartet. They sang for various events on and off-base and were requested to do recordings for the Red Cross. With the end of World War II, George was honorably discharged and headed to Bob Jones College down in the deep south.

Here George was able to pursue many of his passions, particularly preaching, singing, and acting. Once again, he and three friends formed a quartet which sang throughout the area. They also took turns preaching. George played lead roles in several Shakespearean plays and was asked to stay on staff in the film department. But his heart was touched when one of his teachers shared the need of the Peace Evangelical Reformed Church, rural Norfolk, NE, and Immanuel Church, rural Winside, NE, for a pastor. He graduated from Bob Jones University in the spring of 1949 with a bachelor’s Degree of Ministry and then came to Nebraska for the summer. The congregations provided a car and asked him to come back and serve them full-time. After completing a graduate Degree of Divinity, he returned to pastor the churches in 1951.

He married Marjorie Ann Fleer on June 27, 1954, at the Peace Church. They were married almost 65 years. Together they ministered to three rural congregations each week, Peace Church, Immanuel Church, and the Theophilus Church near Wayne. George was fondly called the “circuit-riding preacher.” He directed the Hoskins Community Choir in presentation of the Messiah for four seasons.

In 1959, George believed God wanted him to begin a new church in Norfolk. He and his young family moved to town and began the Community Bible Church. He had a heart for people of all ages, but particularly loved young people. Early in his ministry, he served on the board of directors for Child Evangelism Fellowship of Nebraska and gave several weeks each year to minister in their camps. He used his creative talents to come up with unique youth activities and Sunday School competitions at church. Under his leadership, Park Avenue Christian School was established in 1979. In later years, he led a Teacher-In-Training program for teenagers at Elkhorn Bible Camp and coached many Park Avenue Christian School students in their speech events.

Each year George directed the church choir in two or more vesper programs. He spent hours uniquely decorating the stage for these dramatic productions, and often wrote the script for these. Many timid singers learned to use their vocal talents because of his encouragement. Some sang for his Sunday morning radio broadcast, Reflections, which aired on WJAG for 53 years.

George served on the boards of Gospel Fellowship Association and Bob Jones University. He was also a member of the Foundations Baptist Fellowship. In 1977, George was deeply touched when he was honored with an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, which he considered his spiritual home.

Family time was one of his greatest delights. Each grandchild looked forward to birthdays with Grandpa. A display of their pictures with balloons adorned the mirror. The “toys” which decorated his specially wrapped gifts were often as fun as what was on the inside. He kept a full M&M dispenser to tempt young and old alike. Planning Easter egg hunts, filling Christmas stockings, playing family games, and watching the Huskers brought George great joy.

He is survived by a daughter, Anne Marie (Arin) Hess of Norfolk; sons, Lynn (Kathleen) Heusinger of Lafayette, Indiana, and Joel (Renee) Heusinger of Lincoln; a brother, Vernon, of Marinette Wisconsin; 12 grandchildren, Sarah Hess, Catherine (Dustin) Rogers, Jonathan (Polly) Hess, Luke Hess, Kellen Heusinger, Kelsie (Jeremy) Caudill, Leighton Heusinger, Logan Heusinger, Alyssa Heusinger, Abbie (Brett) Wilson, Anna Heusinger, and Audrey Heusinger, as well as 6 great-grandchildren, Dawson, Dylan, Zoe, Brandon, Kellie, and Lola. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, in April 2019, his parents, his brother, Howard, and his sister, Marjorie.

From the time George trusted Jesus as his Savior, he was consumed with the need for everyone to hear God’s simple plan of salvation. He loved to share his testimony, often with tears in his eyes, because he cared so much that others go to heaven, too. For him, heaven is now a reality. He finished his course. He kept the faith. “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

The Touch Of The Master’s Hand

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But held it up with a smile.

"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar, then, two! Only two?

Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;

Going for three . . ."

But no,

From the room, far back, a grey-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening the loose strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet

As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was quiet and low, said:

"What am I bid for the old violin?"

And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two? "Two thousand! And who'll make it three? "Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice; And going and gone."said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

"We do not quite understand, what changed its worth?" Swift came the reply:

"The Touch Of The Master's Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, Much like the old violin.

A 'mess of potage,' a glass of wine;

A game - and he travels on.

He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,

He's 'going' and almost 'gone'.

But the Master comes and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought By the touch of the Master's Hand.

By Myra B. Welch

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