In 1960, William “Bill” Froelich recognized the need for nursing homes designed for and dedicated to providing quality care. As a funeral director and the operator of an ambulance service, Mr. Froelich had seen firsthand the nursing facilities of the day, usually made-over houses that served as nursing homes. He talked with his brother-in-law, Thomas Jefferson, at a family Thanksgiving dinner about the idea of establishing a nursing home. The two men were joined in the venture by Craig Hart, then president of Champion Federal Savings and Loan. The first Heritage Manor nursing home was built in Bloomington, Illinois in 1963.

The company has grown tremendously in the past 45 years and now owns and operates 31 skilled nursing facilities. Heritage Enterprises and its affiliates provide various levels of health care services – from skilled nursing care to independent living – as well as respite care for caregivers, therapy, and an institutional pharmacy.

Nine years after the corporation was founded, Joe Warner was named President and CEO of Heritage Enterprises. Sadly, Mr. Warner was involved in a fatal small plane crash in 2002. He left behind a great legacy of providing compassionate, quality care for the elderly.

Please click here to read our tribute to Joe Warner.

The Heritage Enterprises headquarters is located in Bloomington, IL.