Michael Heberling

Michael Joseph Heberling was born on June 19, 1976 in Ridgewood, NJ to Henry and Josephine Heberling (nee Carrabba). He passed away unexpectedly at age 44 on December 2, 2020, after years of struggling with diabetes.

Mike was a lifelong resident of Wayne, NJ, having attended Packanack Elementary and George Washington Junior High schools. He participated in Police Athletic League sports and played football, and briefly lacrosse, at Bayley-Ellard, a Catholic high school in Madison, NJ. After graduation, Mike took some community college courses, and ultimately decided to complete his learning outside of the classroom. He was well read, curious, and intelligent and was a dreamer who pursued his passions on his own terms. Mike loved music and his collection was extensive. Before his illness limited his ability to work, he was a security guard at various companies.

While Mike was not always capable of expressing his feelings as he grew into adulthood, it was obvious to all who knew him that he was a sensitive soul and that he had a big heart. He is fondly remembered for his mischievous smile, his childhood “hidden camera” pranks, the haunted houses he built in the cellar for his little sister, and for his protectiveness of his family. Growing up, he idolized his maternal grandfather, Carmen, wearing his police cap around the house and carrying his pipe in his mouth. As an adult, Mike spent hours talking over his thoughts about life and the world with his mother.

Mike is predeceased by his grandfather Carmen Carrabba and his father Hank Heberling, who died earlier in the year, also from complications with diabetes. He leaves behind his much beloved mother Jo Heberling of Wayne, NJ, his younger sister Katherine Heberling and her husband Jason Young of Brooklyn, NY, and his grandmother Rose Carrabba of Mahwah NJ, as well as a large extended family.

Donations may be made in Michael’s memory to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at http://www.nami.org