William R HEIDEN

27 DEC 1921 - 1 JUN 2011

• BIRTH: 27 DEC 1921, South Bend, IN
• BURIAL: Riverview Cemetery, Portage Rd, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 1 JUN 2011, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 26 JUN 1943, St Patricks, South Bend, In

1.  Robert J HEIDEN
2.  Janie Ann HEIDEN
3.  Lori Ann HEIDEN
4.  Michael D HEIDEN
5.  William R HEIDEN
6.  Kathleen HEIDEN
7.  Patrick J HEIDEN

INDEX

[N3413] William R. Heiden Sr.
Dec. 27, 1921 - June 1, 2011
SOUTH BEND - William "Bill" R. Heiden, Sr., 89, residing in South Bend, passed away at 4:40 pm Wednesday, June 1, 2011 in Our Lady of Peace Hospital, Mishawaka. Bill was born on December 27, 1921 in South Bend to William C. and Anna Magdeline (Arndt) Heiden, and remained a lifelong area resident. In August, 1942, Bill enlisted in the US Navy and served three years and two months during WW II. At one time during his service career, he spent two years aboard the USS Cabot, an aircraft carrier, in the Third then Fifth Fleets in the Japanese war area of the Pacific Ocean. At one time, his ship was at sea and in combat for a full thirteen month period without touching land. His ship was hit by two Kamikaze suicide planes. He finished his service career at the Naval Aviation School in Chicago, IL with an Honorable Discharge from the Navy in October, 1945. Before Bill left for sea duty, on June 26, 1943 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in South Bend, he married the former Annabelle June Ewing. Upon his return to civilian life, Bill and Anne raised seven living children, with one baby deceased at birth. Called a "Jack of all trades", Bill wanted to be an architect, but he worked as a draftsman and land surveyor for four years for Colpert Realty Corporation. He then worked for Constructioneers, a home building contractor, as a foreman and layout man. In 1954, he started his own remodeling and home building company until his retirement in 1983. During this time, he also developed his own sixteen lot subdivision in Clay Township, called Ponderosa Lake Estates. Bill is survived by his seven children, William R. (Rosemary) Heiden, Jr. of South Bend, Kathleen (Thomas L. Sr.) Heminger of South Bend, Patrick J. (Mitzi) Heiden of South Bend, Michael D. (Sandy) Heiden, Jr. of South Bend, Robert J. (Michelle) Heiden, Sr. of Plymouth, Janie Ann (John M. Sr.) Emmons of South Bend and Lori Ann (Christopher) Horan, also of South Bend, as well as 18 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Anne, on May 19, 1996 and one sister, Mary Jean Macri, in June, 2009. Bill loved the game of golf and was in the game from childhood as a caddie at Erskine Park to well into his 80's. He was in leagues at Hampshire Country Club in Dowagiac, MI and also started the golf league for his Knights of Columbus Council in Mishawaka. Bill was a good father and a good teacher of how to get things done. He was a devout Catholic and a member of Little Flower Catholic Church from 1950 to the present. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Mishawaka Council #1878 as a 4th Degree member. He also belonged to American Legion Post #161 in Mishawaka and was a 1939 graduate of Riley High School. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Monday, June 6, 2011 in Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 Ironwood Road, South Bend. Military graveside services and burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery on Portage Road in South Bend. The family will receive friends from 2 - 6 pm on Sunday, June 5, 2011 in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where a rosary will be said at 5:30 p.m. as well as one hour prior to mass at church on Monday. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Bill may be offered to Little Flower Catholic Church. Online condolences to the Heiden family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on June 4, 2011