Erica Heilmann, Producer, Director, Educator, Dies At Age 43

OAK LAWN, IL -- Erica Altman Heilmann, a gifted actor, director, educator and mother of four, passed away Sunday after a courageous struggle with cancer. She was the wife of former Oak Lawn Mayor David Heilmann. Mrs. Heilmann was 43 years old at the time of her death.

Mrs. Heilmann was a devoted member of the theatre community. She and her husband were instrumental in starting the Oak Lawn Park District’s award-winning Broadway Junior Program in 2001; she took over the teen program as a producer and director in 2008. Mrs. Heilmann also appeared on stage in many starring roles in the park district’s community theatre productions performed at the Oak View Center. She also taught for 20 years at Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing.

Julie Ryan, superintendent of recreation for the Oak Lawn Park District, said staff were shocked to hear of Mrs. Heilmann’s passing.

“We are devastated by Erica’s loss. She was a devoted member of the theatre community,” Ryan said in an email. “Often describing Oak View as her second home, Erica’s talent, dedication and commitment to the Oak Lawn Park District theatre program has had a monumental impact on the children, teens and adults she has performed with, directed or mentored. Much of the success of the theatre program can be attributed to Erica’s passion and leadership. She was an inspiration to all of us.”

Mrs. Heilmann was in her teens when she began her involvement with the park district’s theater program as a performer and eventually began assistant directing and producing the adult shows. Many of the teen performers who started out in Broadway Junior have gone on to participate in teen and adult shows under her leadership and guidance.

Friends said it was important to Mrs. Heilmann that she keep going despite her cancer diagnosis eight years ago, spending joyous times with her family, and scheduling surgeries and treatments around Broadway Junior performances. The Heilmanns were also active parishioners at St. Linus Church in Oak Lawn.

In 2017, Mrs. Heilmann received a nod from the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University, for excellence in theatre education Award. Mrs. Heilmann was one of 20 teachers in the United States to be recognized, and the only Illinois teacher to receive the distinction.

Mrs. Heilmann remained passionate about the positive impacts of the performing arts, especially on teens and children.

"Through the theatre we can teach so much more than acting or dancing – we teach them the importance of acceptance, of giving everything of yourself on the stage, and that when you give selflessly, it lifts everyone around you, whether in a show or in life," Mrs. Heilmann said when receiving the award.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Heilmann leaves four children: Natalie, Joseph, Michael and Brooke. She is survived by her mom and dad, Leona Altman and Glen Altman; brother Gary (Shawn); her mother-in-law Therese Heilmann. She was loving sister-in-law of Cathy and Bob Lachky, John Heilmann, Diane and Kurt Adams, Chris and Sue Gleason. Precious niece of Anita (Bob) Williams and Diane Stark. Loving aunt, cousin, and Godmother to many. Finally, she is survived by casts of thousands, the people she has touched in the world of theatre, who will never be able to replace this friend.

Visitation for Mrs. Heilmann is set for Thursday, Oct. 4, from 3 to 9 p.m. at St. Linus Church, 10300 Lawler Ave., Oak Lawn, followed by a Mass of the Resurrection on Friday, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m. Interment will at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip. Arrangements are entrusted to Robert J. Sheehy and Sons Funeral Home. For more information, contact the funeral home at 708-857-7878.

Online condolences may left on the Sheehy Funeral Home website.