Richard M. Heitland

Richard M. Heitland, 81, of Geneva, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024 at Franklin General Hospital. Memorial services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory in Hampton. Rich will be laid to rest following the service at Lindenwood Cemetery, Geneva. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, November 13 at the funeral home. Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Rich and his family. Richard Melvin Heitland was born on June 2, 1943 to Melvin and Thelma (Woodley) Heitland in Hampton, Iowa. Rich attended school in Ackley and graduated in 1961. On June 20, 1964 Richard was united in marriage to Judy Roegner at the United Methodist Church in Geneva. This 60-year union resulted in two children. Rich was deeply involved in his community, dedicating many years as fire chief and as a city councilman. He was a rural mail carrier for thirty-one years, and also a lifelong mechanic, owning and operating Rich’s 66 in Geneva. Rich found great joy in the outdoors, including fishing and a round of golf with his friends in Iowa and at his winter home in Arizona. He loved to fix everything and tinkering with various projects. Above all, he treasured spending time with his family and friends. Richard Heitland is survived by his wife, Judy of Mason City; son, Brent Heitland of Geneva; daughter, Joy (Rod Smith) Heitland of Anamosa; grandchildren, Derek (Lacey) Heitland of Rockwell, and Deven (Channing) Heitland of Sheffield; great-grandchildren: Kynzlee, Brannon, Layne, Wylee, Hattie and Stetson. He is also survived by his brother, Gordon Heitland of Iowa Falls; sisters Shirley Rose of Ogden UT, Marion (Darrell) Zacharias of Waterloo, Sally (Bob) Ubben of Ackley, and Leanna (Lester) Ploeger of Webster City; sisters-in law, Lois Bittner of Eldridge, Ruby VanGerpen of Overland Park, KS, and Jeanene Chipp of Latimer; and many nieces and newphews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Thelma Heitland; his father and mother in-law, Lester and Leola Roegner; his brother, Ronald Heitland; his sisters in-law, Karen Heitland and Dorothy Taylor; and his brothers-in law, James Bittner, Robert Taylor and Darren Chipp.

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Richard M. Heitland

June 2, 1943 - November 7, 2024