Thomas Heeney

HEENEY

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/5/2014 at 09:48:51

RACE WITH DEATH LOST ON LAST LAP

Thomas Heeney Dies at Council Bluffs on Way Here for Operation

Speeding toward Davenport on a fast train from his home in Denver for an operation at Mercy Hospital here, another race with death was lost on the last lap this morning when Thomas F. Heeney, prominent contractor of Denver, while coming into Council Bluffs at 3 o'clock sank back in his seat dead. Unnatural pressure on the heart caused by an abscess is attributed to have been the cause of death.

For some time during the past Heeney, who was over 52 years old, had been ailing. He was being brought here as speedily as possible for an operation at Mercy Hospital. The hospital ambulance was waiting at the C.R.I. & P. Ry. station here when the train conveying the dead body of the patient arrived. A short time prior to the man's death he was talking to his brother, John Heeney of this city, who was accompanying him from his home. He was sitting up in a Pullman seat, when he suddenly stiffened. He was dead when his brother turned. The body of the man was carried straight across state from Council Bluffs to Davenport.

Mr. Heeney was a prominent contractor in Denver and had contracted for a large part of the city's business during the past few years. He has been there many years.

When he became ill, for the first time about four weeks ago, he sent to Davenport for his brother, John Heeney, who left for that city several weeks ago. The Davenporter disposed of much of the apparatus owned by his brother before starting for this city, where an operation was to have been performed.

The body was taken to the Halligan parlors and later to the home of his brother, John Heeney, 606 West Seventeenth street, from where the funeral will be held at 8:30 o'clock Sunday morning, with services at 9 o'clock at St. Anthony's church. Interment will be made in St. Marguerite's cemetery.

Deceased was born Jan. 2, 1861, in New York city. The survivors are his wife, Mrs. Ada Heeney, four sons, Thomas, Paul, Elmer, and Ira Heeney, and three daughters, the Misses Florence, Blanche, and Dorothy Heeney of Denver. His mother, Mrs. Mary Heeney of this city, three sisters, Mrs. Bridget Lee of Bennett, Ia, Mrs. Katherine Kruse of this city and Mrs. Mary Burnes of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Frank, John, and Hugh of Davenport.

Source: Davenport Democrat and Leader; Davenport, Ia., 07 Nov 1913.

At the family home 2116 Ripley street at 7:45 o'clock, Saturday night, occurred the death of Thomas F. Heeney, at the advanced age of 86 years. He was injured in a fire three weeks ago and this hastened his death.

Mr. Heeney was an old time resident of Davenport and was well known. He was a member of St. Anthony's church since it was first built at Fourth and Main streets. His wife, Delia Heeney, died June 19, 1920.

Surviving are two sons and two daughters. They are Mrs. C.J. Madgey of Kansas City; Mrs. Fred Anderson of Davenport; John J. Heeney of Joplin, Mo., and Thomas F. Heeney of San Francisco. There are three grandchildren.

The body was taken to the Fred M. Ruhl funeral home where it will be held pending the arrival of the children. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Source: Davenport Democrat; Davenport, Ia., 19 Nov 1922.