Albert Sylvester Heberlein

Albert Sylvester Heberlein was born June 2, 1925 in Erie, Pennsylvania. His youth was spent on the family farm nearby. After completing high school he worked at Lord's Manufacturing in Erie before entering the Marine Corps in Sept 1943. Upon discharge from the service in 1945, he returned to work at Lord's. It was there where he met Norma Jane Southard. After their courtship, they were married in September 1946. After 65 years of marriage, Norma passed away in July 2012. Al is survived by his brother John Heberlein; his three oldest children, Joseph Heberlein, Janice Swingle, and Roger Heberlein; as well as five grandchildren: Christopher, Matthew and Ryan Mette, Timothy and Anthony Heberlein. He is been blessed with eleven great-grandchildren: Andrew, Emily, Nathan, Lauren, Christopher and Liam Mette, Cooper and Sidney Driefort; Charles Heberlein; and Alyssa Perez. He also has an informal, extended family from Viet Nam. Many years ago, he and Norma befriended Gai Nguyen and her children Calvan, Ashley and Johnny. Through the years their friendship has bonded into a close relationship, that of uncle and grandfather. Al has had a diverse career working as an electrical engineer at Carnegie Institute of Technology; as an aircraft approach control systems engineer with Civil Aeronautical Agency at Pittsburgh; program instructor at the FAA Academy; college instructor at Connors State College and at Oklahoma State Technical College. He was a software engineer for the NATO E-3A AWACS aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base before retiring. His interests included travel, the Knights of Columbus, bowling, square-dancing, Volksmarching, and most of all family. His kind spirit will be remembered by all who have had the opportunity to know him. He will be forever missed by his loving family and friends.