Heiden, Charles Vernon 1932-2012

HEIDEN, WARD, VOLKMANN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 10/2/2017 at 15:52:18

Charles Heiden
1932 - 2012
Clive

Charles, 79, passed away peacefully Saturday at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. They will greet friends tonight from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at West Des Moines United Methodist Church located at 720 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. also at the church.

Charles Vernon Heiden, son of Vernon and Emma Heiden, was born October 6, 1932 in Denison, Iowa. He was a graduate of Denison High School in 1951, then went on to graduate from Iowa State University in 1955. Following college, he served active duty in the U. S. Army and Army Reserves from 1956 to 1988.

Charlie was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ward on August 21, 1955 in Marshalltown Iowa. To this union three sons were born, Dave, Jeff, and Chris. Charlie co-owned Ward Lumber Company with Elizabeth from 1958-1992. He was an active member of the Marshalltown United Methodist Church and later the West Des Moines United Methodist Church and was a longtime choir member and member of Mits-Wits Sunday School. Charlie was a lifetime member of the Military Officers' Association of America, Optimist Club, and was also active with the Boy Scouts and several other clubs and committees. Charlie was a Standardized Patient at Des Moines University for 17 years. He was a volunteer for the Methodist Church, American Cancer Society, Found Treasures, and Clive Library.

Charlie's top priority in his life has always been family and friends.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Jon Heiden.

Those left to remember Charlie include his wife, Elizabeth of Clive; his three children: David (Gail) Heiden of Peachtree City, GA, Jeff (Robyn) Heiden of Marshalltown, and Chris (Terrie) Heiden of Nevada; four grandchildren: Jessica, Lisa, Katie and Grace; his great-grandson, Jackson; and his sister, Ruth (Palmer) Volkmann of Denison.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be directed to West Des Moines United Methodist Church, and the Wounded Warrior Project. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register Tues 02 Oct 2012.