Heffner, John S (1884-1953)

HEFFNER, CARTHEY, BARTLETT, SPENCER, MILLER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Friday, August 7, 1953

John S. Heffner, 69, widely known Hamilton county farmer, former state representative from this county and the president of the Iowa Taxpayers association, was found dead this morning at his farm home near Blairsburg.

County Coroner Lloyd Chapman said today it is believed that Mr. Heffner had succumbed to a heart attack sometime yesterday morning as he was preparing to leave the house. His body was found in the kitchen by neighbors who gained access to the house by raising a window.

Mrs. Heffner has been visiting in Cedar Rapids with a son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur O. Carthey, who became the parents of a daughter Saturday, August 1. Mrs. Carthey is the former Ramona Heffner.

Mrs. Heffner attempted to contact her husband by phone several times yesterday and today and then called neighbors who went to the home this morning about 8:30.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Foster funeral home with the Rev. S.T. Lenters officiating. Burial will be in Graceland cemetery.

Born in Webster county in 1884, he attended the rural schools and received his advanced education at Tobin college and the University of Iowa.

He was united in marriage to Iva Mae Bartlett and to this union four daughters were born: Charlotte, Dorothy, Ramona and Beth.

A school teacher for a short time, he engaged in banking business for 12 years, being associated with the State bank at Williams, the First National bank at Fort Dodge and the Duncombe Savings bank.

He served for several terms as a member of the Iowa house of representatives from Hamilton county, and was also a member of the county board of education. For eight years he was a member of the Blairsburg consolidated school board and was president of that organization for four years.

In later years he has been active in the Old Settlers association which he headed as president for several terms. He has been very active in the Iowa Taxpayers association for many years and has been re-elected several times to the position as president of the state organization.

Surviving are his wife and four daughters: Mrs. Phillip (Charlotte) Spencer of Essex, Iowa; Mrs. Charles (Dorothy) Miller of Madison, Minn.; Mrs. Will (Ramona) Carthey of Cedar Rapids and Miss Beth Heffner of Des Moines; four grandchildren; three brothers Daniel Heffner of Portland, Ore., Carl Heffner of Gowrie, Floyd Heffner of San Diego, Calif., and one sister, Mary E. Heffner of San Diego.