Lewis E. Heifner (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Mr. Lewis Ellsworth Heifner, the son of the late Edythe A. (Hughes) Heifner and Lewis C. Heifner, was born August 9, 1933 at Afton, Iowa, in his maternal grandparent’s home. He was reared in Titonka, Iowa where his late father was a rural letter carrier.
Lewis was a graduate of Titonka High School in 1950 and attended junior college and Drake University.
He began his newspaper career in Rock Island, Illinois, on the Argus. He spent 36 years as a journalist in positions ranging from typesetter to publisher. In 1980 Lewis left the newspaper profession to serve as an aide to U.S. Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa. He spent 6 ½ years as a Field Representative for the senator.
Lewis returned to newspapers in 1987. Prior to his retirement he was employed at Sam’s Club in Council Bluffs, Iowa as a Business Development Manager.
He married JoAnn Seiler of Wesley Iowa on October 27, 1951 and to this union four children were born: Thomas L. of Marion, Iowa, Jacqueline K. (Busch) of Anthon, Iowa, Robert A. of Kansas City, Missouri, and Lewis A. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Lewis divorced and he married Linda F. Preston on June 8, 1990, they divorced in February of 2010.
Survivors include 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother Theodore A., a sister Grace, a granddaughter Elizabeth (Lisa), two half-sisters and two half-brothers. Lewis is the last of the children of Lewis C. Heifner.
Lewis was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed baseball and basketball and was named the outstanding athlete of his high school graduating class. He also loved to hunt and fish. However, his first love was his children and like most fathers he did the best he could for them.
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bolivar, Missouri and the Knights of Columbus both Third Degree and Fourth Degree. He was named the first layman to edit a diocesan newspaper. He served for 13 ½ years on The Globe at Sioux City, Iowa. He also served on several national committees appointed by the Catholic Press Association. He gave workshops on advertising and business management at several national conventions. Lewis taught religion classes for high school seniors. He served on the Catholic Scouting committee and received the Pro Deo Juvemtute Medal for his work.
Funeral mass will be held at 2:00pm, Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bolivar, Missouri with Father Pat Wissman officiating with Fourth Degree Honor Guards by the Knights of Columbus under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri. A visitation will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church form 6-7pm, Tuesday evening with a catholic prayer service at 7:00pm. Burial will be in the Anna Edna Cemetery in Jerico Springs, Missouri. Pallbearers will be Terry Nothern, David Sandgren, David Tilley, Mark Stanek, James Riggs, and Charles Stanek. Honorary Pallbearers will be Thomas Heifner, Robert Heifner, Lewis A. Heifner, Jacqueline Busch, Christopher Heifner, Thomas A. Heifner, his children and grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1944-A Sunshine, Springfield, Missouri 65804.
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