Obituary of Jerald Keith Van Heiden
Jerald K. Van Heiden, age 82, of Morris, Illinois, and formerly Wellsburg, Iowa, passed away peacefully, Friday evening, November 21, 2025.
Jerald was born July 14, 1943, in Bristow, Iowa to the late Anna (Harken) and Ben Van Heiden. He was raised on the family farm in Wellsburg, where he developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation of nature. His step-mother, Alice, and father, Ben, ensured life on the farm was both fun and educational. Jerald married his beloved wife, Connie, on June 24, 1976, at St. John Lutheran Church in Wellsburg.
While in Iowa, Jerald worked for the former Mid Equipment and Wayne Engineering, later moving to Illinois where he was employed for 25 years by Monroe Truck and Equipment until his retirement. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing, flying, traveling, and going to plays.
In addition to his beloved wife, Connie, he is also survived by his loving children, Elizabeth Jane (the late Kenneth) Kugel, Amy (Kevin) Davis, Jeff Van Heiden, Christine (Jay) Tennant and Janelle (Brent) Schroder; 14 grandchildren, Katherine (Blake), Ariel (Steven), Abby (Christian), Taylor (Robert), Ashley, Jacob, Jeremy, Joseph, Nathan, Nora, Owen, Grant, Elayna and Abigail; six great-grandchildren, Addison, Sullivan, Ashton, Forrest, Boman and Birdie; two brothers, Ben (Judy) DeVries and Richard (Kim) Van Heiden; two sisters, Merna (Larry) Lovell and Lauretta (Don) Diehm; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Bonnie, in infancy; his parents, Ben, Anna, and Alice; sister and brothers, Jeanette, Lavern, Jerry, David, and Kenneth; and Connie’s parents, Alvin and Theresa Harms.
All friends and relatives are invited to gather on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of a memorial service at 2:00 p.m., at Friends in Christ Lutheran Church, 1338 Clay Street, Morris, IL. Cremation rites have been accorded and additional services will be held at a later date at St. John Lutheran Church in Wellsburg, IA, with burial of the urn to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jerald’s name can be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
For more information please call (815) 942-5040, or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
