- Date Of Birth: July 7, 1937
- Date Of Death: May 23, 2021
- State: Iowa
James Alva Heddinger, 83, of Des Moines, IA passed away on May 23, 2021, surrounded by family. He was born July 7, 1937, in Rodman, IA, to George and Agnes (Elbert) Heddinger.
He was raised in Emmetsburg IA and was the middle child of 13 kids. After high school, he served in the US Army from 1958 to 1960. He married the love of his life, Virginia Hickey, on September 1, 1962, and shortly thereafter moved to Des Moines. There they raised their four children, taking great pride in being able to send them all to Catholic school. After a brief battle with cancer, Virginia passed away in 1990.
Jim worked in maintenance control for the US Postal Service for 27 years, retiring in 2001. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, St. Pius X Holy Name Society, and Knights of Columbus.
Jim was an avid gardener and would supply his friends with “the goods.” He was an usher at St. Pius, rarely missing Sunday’s earliest mass. At Christmas time he enjoyed dressing up as Santa, spreading joy by visiting children in their homes and adults at their parties. One of his favorite holidays was St. Patrick’s Day, and in 2006 he was awarded the Friendly Son’s highest honor – Irishman of the Year. He loved singing and was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus choir. He was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox, Green Bay Packers, Notre Dame, and Dowling Catholic High School. Though a man of few words, the “Monsignor” was endeared by many of those he met on his local Urbandale rounds.
Jim is survived by his children, Scott (Rhonda) Heddinger of Plainfield, IL, Teresa (Gene) Pilawski of Granger, IN, Chris (Brian) Kreps of Clive, IA and Steve (Sara) Heddinger of Waukee, IA; twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; four brothers: George Heddinger, Dutch Heddinger, Jack Heddinger (his twin), and Bob Heddinger; four sisters: Fran Oldham, Jeanette Balint, Paulette Goodwin, Cheryl Hartman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Virginia, sisters Betty Ross, Mary McGinn, and Marjorie Staudt, brother Bud Heddinger and infant siblings, Evelyn and Joseph Heddinger.
