Heims, Merlin Henry

Merlin Henry Heims, 80, of 813 Tyler St. NE, No. 202, Cascade, formerly of 24591 Hwy 136, died at 8:10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at home. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Church, Monticello, with the Rev. Keith Birch officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello. Friends may gather after 9:30 a.m. Monday until time of service at the church. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd., Dubuque, is in charge of arrangements.

He was born June 17, 1929, in Sand Springs, Iowa, the son of Frank Henry and Clara (Gudenkauf) Heims. He graduated from Sacred Heart School in Monticello and married Margaret C. Weber on June 29, 1957. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, serving from 1951 to 1953. He was a member of Cascade American Legion Post 528, Cascade Sportsman Club and UAW Local 94 of Dubuque. Merlin worked for John Deere Co. in Dubuque, farmed in Sands Springs, and worked 10 years at Great Plains Lumberyard.

He enjoyed the winters in Texas since 1995, spending time with the grandchildren, and in his early years, camping, traveling, fishing, and woodworking.

Merlin is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margaret; five children, Debra (Terry) Williams of Wyoming, Iowa, Douglas (Jennifer) Heims of Cedar Rapids, Denise (Jeff Altland) Heims of Tampa, Fla., Dana (Barry Wassmer) Heims of Marion and Deaann (Greg) Barneson of Monticello; grandchildren, Kelsey and Riley Williams, Courtney, Alexis, Cullen and Ethan Heims; one great-grandchild, Laney Otte; one sister, Connie (Jim) Sherman of Milwaukee, Wis.; and one sister-in-law, Elizabeth Heims of Anamosa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Larry and Richard; and sister, Lila Leibold.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Above and Beyond Hospice of Monticello.