South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Emery Heimos

Died: Tuesday, May 04, 2004

Age: 70

Longtime local magician, Emery Heimos, 70, died May 4 of pulmonary fibrosis at his south county home.

His unique blend of comedy and magic made him a highly sought-after entertainer for St. Louis private parties and events from the 1950s until recently, but Mr. Heimos is best known as the “Lemay Bank Magician’’ — now Midwest Centre Bank — where he performed 250 shows a year for 37 years, beginning in 1966, according to a news release.

The highly effective public relations stint promoted the bank’s name as the “magic word’’ and brought the bank great recognition.

“In the 1940s and 1950s, Ernie Hellman did magic for Pepsi and Don Lawton did magic for Old Judge Coffee,’’ Mr. Heimos told the South County News-Times in an April 1989 interview. “But the idea of a public relations magician was brand new to the area at the time when I brought it to the attention of the president of Lemay Bank.’’

Mr. Heimos also was a celebrated and much-loved fixture at the Famous Barr Men’s department where he worked for 52 years at the downtown location.

In 2002, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay proclaimed Oct. 28 as Emery Heimos Day for his contributions to the city.

He was honored last October by the Society of American Magicians for his support, talent, skill, and dedication to the craft of magic that he taught himself growing up in Oakville.

Mr. Heimos was a member of the Society of American Magicians, the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Mehlville Optimist Club, of which he was a former president and twice awarded the club’s President’s Citation in recognition of service.

When hearing of his passing, the YMCA of the Ozarks branch immediately announced it would dedicate an area of Trout Lodge in Mr. Heimos’ honor for all the summers he entertained those at the lodge.

Survivors include his wife, Tippie Heimos (nee Silvey), whom he married Feb. 11, 1961; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael Heimos and Eric and Lisa Heimos; daughters and sons-in-laws, Midge and Scott Schmidt, Sue and Tony Guglielmo and Jody and Casey Heimos; seven grandchildren; and one grandchild on the way.

Services were conducted at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Visitation was at Fey Funeral Home in south county.

“Dad passed peacefully, and gracefully with all of the family at his side,’’ stated eldest son Michael Heimos, who was present with Mr. Heimos’ wife, Tippie, two daughters, two younger sons and in-laws. “Always the entertainer, he even told a final joke before he passed. And he passed his way, as he lived his life: courageously, and with love and humor.’’