HERITAGE, Jack D. 1918-2006

HERITAGE, JONES, MULLER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/12/2015 at 10:28:03

Jack D. Heritage, 88, of Dike, Iowa, died Thursday, October 5, 2006, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 10, 2006, at the United Methodist Church in Dike, Iowa, with Reverend Stephen Bibb and Reverend Matt Conover officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery in Dike, with full military rites provided by the Dike American Legion Post #471. Visitation will be Monday, October 9, 2006, at the United Methodist Church in Dike, from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., with the family present the entire time to greet friends. A memorial fund has been established. The Dike Funeral Chapel is serving the family of Jack D. Heritage.

Jack Daniel Heritage was born June 10, 1918, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of William B. and Sadie H. (Jones) Heritage. Jack graduated in 1937 from Correctionville High School in Correctionville, Iowa. After graduation, Jack went to Grand Island Nebraska to try out for the Nebraska State Baseball League. He didn't make it, and began cutting meat at his hometown grocery store. On November 10, 1940, Jack was united in marriage to Neva Muller in Washta, Iowa. On March 26, 1941, Jack was inducted into the United States Army. He served his country during WWII, and was honorably discharged on October 1, 1945. Once he was back home in Correctionville, Jack began cutting meat for the Council Oak Stores. In January 1947, Jack and his wife Neva moved to Dike, Iowa, and had their own meat market and grocery store- Heritage Market. They owned and operated the store until April 1966. Jack then began working as a custodial supervisor for the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, retiring in 1979. Throughout this entire time, Jack continued to work as a butcher. Jack's wife Neva died on December 30, 1995. Jack continued to make Dike his home, and was still cutting meat at the grocery store in Dike until August 2005. Jack was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Dike, acting as head usher since 1947. Jack became a volunteer fireman for the town of Dike in 1948 and was a member for thirty six years. Nineteen of those thirty-six years, Jack spent as the fire chief. In 1978, Jack received the Governor's Award for Meritorious Service in Volunteer Fire Fighting. Jack had also been a member of the Grundy County Magistrate Commission for fifteen years, and had announced for the Dike High School Football team for twenty-five years, and was known as the "Voice of the Bobcats." For his years of service, he received the Iowa Football Coaches Association Distinguished Service Award. Jack was also a member of the Dike American Legion Post #471, where he had been the Commander until just recently. Jack had previously served on the Grundy County Veteran's Affairs Board, and had also been a member of the Dike Betterment Association. Jack was an avid St Louis Cardinals and Iowa Hawkeye Fan, and was lovingly known as the, "King of Dike."

He is survived by two daughters Penny Heritage of Eldon, Missouri; Betty Roach of Las Vegas, Nevada; one son Barry Heritage of Dallas, Texas; and two grandchildren Cheryl Roach of Hays, Kansas, and Patrick Heritage of Eldon, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Neva in 1995; one granddaughter Marnie L. Fecht; one brother Harry Heritage; and two sisters Frieda Heritage and Mary Elizabeth Schultz.

--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)