Obituary of James A. Heavens

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

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James Alan Heavens, 72, of Dyersville, died unexpectedly on his way home from work on the evening of December 28, 2023.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where Ancient Order of Hibernians will hold a brief rosary at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. prior to the funeral mass.

Funeral mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday January 8, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville. Rev. Chris Podhajsky will officiate. Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato, Minnesota. 

Jim was born on June 16, 1951, in Springfield, Illinois, as the son of Alan and Esther (Dirker) Heavens. Jim graduated from Coal City High School and then from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1973. He then went on to graduate school at the University of Illinois where he received a Master of Science in 1975 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1978.

After college, Jim started out working for Hubbard Feeds in Mankato, Minnesota. While there, Jim met Hubbard’s attorney, Dick Beerling, who thought it would be a good idea if Jim asked Dick’s sister Cathy on a date. It turned out to be a great idea. Jim and Cathy were married on April 9, 1983. They created and lived a truly wonderful life together for over 40 years. “Who could ask for anything more?” as Jim liked to say. There was more.

Jim and Cathy had three children, Alan, John, and Patrick. Jim enjoyed being their biggest fan until he gladly handed over that title to each son’s wife. Jim loved to celebrate the successes of each family member and share some words of wisdom whenever there was a setback.

The Heavens family moved from Mankato to Charles City and then to Dyersville when Jim began working for U.S. Feeds. The family loved Dyersville and Dyersville loved them back. Jim was very active in the community and was elected Mayor of Dyersville in 2003. He was reelected six times and served until 2021.

Jim was a devout Catholic. He never missed Mass on a Sunday and was proud to share his deep faith with Cathy and to pass that faith along to all of his and Cathy’s children. Jim always enjoyed getting to know the priests who served his parish, and he became lifelong friends with many of them.  

Jim loved talking about politics with anyone from anywhere on the political spectrum. Ever the optimist, he always predicted that every candidate he was voting for would win big. Jim liked to say that he had no choice but to be an optimist because his blood type was “B positive.”

Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cathy; children: Alan (Jillian) of Garnavillo, John (Mary) of Cedar Rapids, and Patrick (Jordan) of Lakeville, MN; grandchildren: Reagan, Weston, Vivian, Owen, Charles, and Josephine; sisters and brothers in law: Peggy (Ron) Thompson, Richard (Linda Danielson) Beerling, Nancy (Kevin) Keenan, Tom Beerling, and John (Mary) Beerling; as well as a countless number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Jim was predeceased by his mother and father; sister, Diana in infancy; mother and father-in-law, Francis Beerling and Marie Beerling; sister-in-law, Jill Beerling; nephew, Kevin Pappe; and the many pet dachshunds he had over the years. 

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family. Information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com. Memorials may be sent to Kramer Funeral Home (in care of the deceased) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA 52040.