Heyveld, Doyle Gene 1955 – 2021

HEYFOLD, DEN ADEL, VAN WYK, ROW, PETERSON, BRUXVOORT

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/23/2021 at 15:30:23

Doyle Gene Heyveld died peacefully on July 20, 2021 in Decorah, Iowa following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease; he was 66.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m., on Monday, July 26, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church at 302 West Broadway in Decorah with Rev. Hyeunmee “Mee” Kang presiding. Burial will be in the Phelps Cemetery in Decorah.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church.
An additional memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church, 116 Northeast Perry Avenue, in Peoria, Illinois.
Memorials may be made to Arthaus, 107 West Broadway in Decorah, IA, 52101 or to the National Alzheimer’s Association, Home Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601
Doyle was born on March 24, 1955 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Gary and Mae (Den Adel) Heyveld. He was baptized and later confirmed at Leighton Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa. He spent his childhood on the family farm southwest of Leighton, where he enjoyed taking apart old machines in order to understand how to make them work better. That same curiosity and drive motivated him throughout his education: Doyle graduated from Pella Community High School in 1973, completed his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in 1977, and received a Master’s in Engineering Mechanics in 1978.
In sixth grade, Doyle met Cheryl Van Wyk and they became childhood sweethearts. They began dating officially when they were 16, and Doyle remained devoted to Cheryl all his life. They were married on August 16, 1975. Together they had two sons, Zachary and Isaac, who were always a source of joy and pride for their dad.
After graduating, Doyle and Cheryl moved to Peoria, Illinois in 1979 to work for Caterpillar Inc. Doyle began his career as a Test Engineer, devising endurance and safety tests for Caterpillar equipment. In the course of his work, he also received two patents and developed key testing software. Doyle traveled all over the world to help launch this program, and the software he developed is still in use today. Later, Doyle moved into management where he was a generous supervisor, known in particular as a mentor to younger engineers. He retired from Caterpillar in 2015 after 36 years of service.
Doyle valued his hobbies, and his interests were not just time-fillers but ways he celebrated and supported his loved ones. When Zachary was in Boy Scouts, Doyle was the Scout Leader; when Isaac played soccer, Doyle was the team manager. He was a talented photographer who beautifully documented family vacations and, later, the many trips across the U.S. and the globe that he and Cheryl shared. His family members treasure the toys and fine furniture he crafted in his woodshop. Doyle also enjoyed using his creative talents to support the Fine Arts program at First United Methodist Church in Peoria where he was a faithful member for many decades.
Following his Alzheimer’s diagnosis and retirement, Doyle and Cheryl moved to Decorah, Iowa in 2018. One of the last but greatest joys of Doyle’s life was being a grandpa. He was a tremendously loving, silly, warm grandparent who lit up when any of his five grandsons were around. Even in the short time they were together, he loved and was deeply loved by them.
Doyle is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cheryl; son and daughter-in-law Zachary and Lindsey Row-Heyveld of Decorah; son and daughter-in-law Isaac and Brittany Heyveld of Indianapolis, IN; his beloved grandchildren: Silas and Oscar Row-Heyveld and Lennon, Finnlee, and Connolly Heyveld; and his mother, Mae Heyveld of Pella. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Kathy Heyveld; his brothers- and sisters-in-law Delmer Van Wyk, Lola (Jim Peterson) Van Wyk, Lois (Sid) Bruxvoort, and Glenn (Denise) Van Wyk; and many nieces and nephews on both sides.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gary Heyveld.

Source: Schluter-Balik Funeral Home database

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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