George A. Heilman

SALIX, Iowa -- George A. Heilman, 60, of Salix died unexpectedly Sunday, May 31, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix, with the Rev. Patrick O'Kane officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

George A. Heilman was born Oct. 28, 1948, in Sioux City, the son of Francis and Pauline (Murray) Heilman. The family moved to Salix in 1955. He graduated from Heelan High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam Conflict and was in the Navy Seabees, stationed in Okinawa.

He married Sandra J. Shol on Nov. 17, 1972, in Salix. He was employed with Mid-American Energy for more than 30 years and enjoyed farming.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandsons, visiting and sharing stories with friends.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra; a daughter and her husband, Melynda and Ryan Waite; a son, Hugh Heilman of Salix; his parents, Francis and Pauline Heilman of Salix; 10 brothers, sisters and spouses, Mary E. Rutherford of Clarksville, Tenn., Kate and Larry Speck of Lincoln, Neb., Marcia and Les Snow of Wilton, Calif., Helen and Keith Robley of Salix, Timothy and Jeanne Heilman of Sioux City, Roger Heilman of Salix, Steve Heilman of Salix, Barbara and Richard Parker of Salix, Patricia Cortner of Whiting, Iowa, and David and Sheila Heilman of Neola, Iowa; and five grandchildren, Alex Ronfeldt, Dylan Waite, Zachary Waite, Steven Heilman and Thomas Heilman.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Pallbearers will be Russell Black, Paul Scott, Hubert Pepin, Bob Nelson, Steve Hubert, Louie Hinrickson Jr., Charles Thorpe and Guy Hopkins.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name.