LEO A. HEITZ

MAHONEY, HEITZ, BECHEN, BROWNELL, HINZ, MURPHY, MEYER, LATTNER, GRANT

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 4/16/2003 at 20:07:44

Leo A. Heitz

Telegraph Herald - Tuesday, April 8, 2003

Leo A. Heitz, 81, of ManorCare Health Services, formerly of 667 Levi St., died Sunday, April 6, 2003, at ManorCare.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Columbkille's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 6 of Dubuque. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Siegert-Didesch Colonial Funeral Home, 390 N. Grandview Ave., where there will be a parish scripture wake service at 7 p.m.

He was born on Nov. 21, 1921, in Bankston, Iowa, son of Matthew and Agnes (Mahoney) Heitz. In the course of Leo's life, he lived in Bankston, Peosta and Farley, Iowa. Finally in 1929, Leo's family settled in Dubuque.

He served his country during World War II, as a member of the Army Air Corps from 1940 to 1944.

On April 17, 1948, he married Maxine Bechen at St. Patrick's Church, Dubuque.

Leo spent all of his adult life living and working in Dubuque. He was a longtime member of St. Columbkille's Parish in Dubuque.

He retired from the former Dubuque Packing Co. in 1982, after 37 years of service. In no time he found retirement boring, and in 1983, Leo surprised no one when he re-entered the work force. For the next 18 years Leo was a delivery person and good will ambassador for Hartig Drug Stores in Dubuque. Finally in 2002, when the stairs proved too taxing for his heart, Leo retired from Hartig.

Leo's greatest loves were family, good friends and golf. He was incredibly proud of his children and their accomplishments, both personal and professional. Of course his grandchildren were the best and brightest children ever born. In the course of his life, Leo made strong and enduring friendships with neighbors, co-workers and many others. He will be greatly missed by all his dear friends at the Fellowship Club in Dubuque.

Finally, Leo was happiest with a golf club in his hands. His swing wasn't pretty, but his drive was almost always long and straight. He truly loved the game, playing it, watching it, talking it. He will be sadly missed by all his golfing buddies, especially his Thursday and Friday foursomes.

The love and respect of family and good friends are true testaments to Leo. He overcame some pretty difficult challenges in his life. He had a spring in his step, and he very seldom got down or sad. And while his smile and happy whistle are gone, he will forever be in our hearts. In his life he was a son, husband, brother, and father. Most important of all, he was a friend.

He will be lovingly missed by his devoted wife and best friend, Maxine (Bechen) Heitz, of Dubuque. Also surviving are a daughter, Pamela (David) Heitz Brownell, of Eden Prairie, Minn., a son Kevin, of Des Moines; a son-in-law: Chuck (Michele Payne) Hinz, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his grandchildren: Emily and Alison Brownell, Cassidy and Kelly Heitz, and Matt and Katie Hinz; two sisters, Eileen Murphy and Ann Meyer, both of Dubuque; a sister-in-law, Alberta Lattner, of Dubuque; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; all of his brothers, Joe, Ray, Julian, Elmer and Dan; a sister, Mary Grant; and a daughter, Carolyn Heitz Hinz.

A Leo A. Heitz Memorial Fund has been established

Leo's family would like to thank Dr. Longo, the staff at ManorCare Health Services and Renee, Julie and Paula of Hospice of Dubuque, for their support and caring help.