HEAIVILIN, Merrill D. (1928-2022)

HEAIVILIN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/30/2023 at 15:22:47

Merrill Dean Heaivilin
(July 7, 1928 - August 23, 2022)

MD “Doc” Heaivilin, 94, of Indianola, passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
Merrill Dean Heaivilin was born in 1928 to Cecil R. and Lela Simmerman Heaivilin in Indianola. He graduated from Indianola High School in 1946 and went to the United States Army serving in Korea, attaining the rank of Corporal. When he was discharged, he returned to Indianola enrolling in Simpson College, where he was elected Student Body President his senior year. During college, he was active in the Theta-Lambda Zeta chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha and he later acted as alumni advisor and house corporation treasurer from 1953 until 1968. He was honored to receive the chapter's distinguished alumni award in 1978. After graduating from Simpson college in 1951 and a brief time in California, he returned to Indianola to spend the rest of his busy and active life.
He opened and operated his clothing store, Ce-Doc's Clothing on the Indianola square for two decades and met and married his wife of 63 years, Jani, who later joined him in working at their clothing store. During this time he was active in the Indianola business community and civic life as-well-as church activities as a director of and Past President of the Indianola Chamber of Commerce, a charter and past President of the Indianola Kiwanis and the Indianola Noons Lions Club, where he held many offices and continued attending meetings until his health no longer allowed him to do so earlier this year. After selling his clothing stores, he went into real estate operating J & D Appraisal and Realty.
Doc enjoyed fishing, hunting, as-well-as playing cards, and particularly his weekly cribbage games during the last few years. Doc was preceded in death by his wife Jani, daughter Heidi, his parents, and brother Charles R. Heaivilin. Doc is survived by his son Bill (Pat Shaughnessy) of Las Vegas, Nevada, several nieces and nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 29th at Famers Chapel in Indianola with visitation one hour prior to services from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Cremation will follow services. Memorials may be given to Farmers Chapel United Methodist Church. [This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]