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Leon Heilman Obituary
Leon Heilman, 57, Bismarck, died of natural causes at his home on Sept. 9, 2008. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. today, Sept. 12, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Paul Eberle officiating. Interment will be held at 2 p.m. in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, with military rites provided by the Bismarck VFW Post 1326.
Leon, the eldest of nine children, was born Feb. 27, 1951, in Bismarck, to Victor and Leonita (Heier) Heilman. He attended school in Bismarck, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969, where he served on the USS Coral Sea until he was honorably discharged.
He married Andrea Hoffman on Sept. 7, 1979. They had one son, Kelly, born on June 5, 1984. After graduating from Bismarck State College, he worked as a utility technician for over 20 years. At the time of his death, he was employed by Fischer Contracting.
Leon had many interests and loved everything outdoors. He was a charter member of the Missouri River Muzzleloaders. He loved horses, hunting, fishing, archery, rodeo and country music. His greatest passions in life were his family and friends, and his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Leon was a member of the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club, where he was currently serving as the vice president of the North Dakota State Chapter. Leon spent many hours traveling the country on his motorcycle in the company of his Club brothers, for whom he had tremendous admiration and respect. His love and laughter will always be remembered by all who knew him.
Leon is survived by his son, Kelly, Fargo; his parents, Victor and Leonita Heilman, Bismarck; eight brothers and sisters, Allan (Sue), Bismarck, Gilberta (Darrell) Holzer, Bozeman, Mont., Dean (Tracy), Bismarck, Mike, Escondido, Calif., Bill (Kelly), Fort Worth, Texas, Dorothy (Don) Vetter, Bismarck, Myron (Lisa), Bismarck, and Calvin (Teresa), Bismarck; along with his special friends, Andrea Hoffman, Kelly Kiemele and Butch Irvin, and others too numerous to mention. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Jesse, Jackie, Sara, Trevor, Paul, Jeremy, Seth, Becky, Christopher, Jordan, Emilee, Cole and Alexis. He will be dearly missed by his family, his Club brothers and his many friends.
Leon was preceded in death by his grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the POW-MIA Memorial Fund, 131 Airport Road, Bismarck, N.D. 58504 (Attn: Butch). (Bismarck Funeral Home)
Memories and Condolences
for Leon Heilman
Laurella Weninger
September 6, 2024
Never forgotten, cousin! Ride with the angels!
Laurella
September 6, 2022
Laurella
September 6, 2022
Laurella
September 6, 2022
Remembering Leon this week!
Tim Holdahl
September 26, 2008
I heard late of Leon's passing. Out thoughts and prayers are with the family. I worked with Leon a number of years, he was a good friend and will be missed.
sherry Tipton
September 16, 2008
To Leon family, from the Tipton family, we are all saddend by the loss, he is with alot of close friends
and family now, my deceased husband, Dennis will give him a warm welcome and willbe riding free forever,I will miss Leon smile and hugs, he was always a caring person, sincerely Sherry Tipton
Deb (Morrell) Koch
September 15, 2008
Dear Heilman Family
My family and I are so sorry for your loss. What a awesome person Leon was. Our family got pretty close to Leon when my brother ( Terry Morrell) passed away 5 yrs ago. We held a memorial ride every year after Terry died and Leon never missed one of them. Leon was a good friend to Terry and to our family. When we would see Leon he would always give us one of his big hugs. I will miss Leon and his hugs. I find comfort knowing he is up in heaven riding with Terry. Happy riding! We love you and miss you very much. You will be forever in our hearts.
CINDY AUCK
September 14, 2008
Dear Leon,
WHEN YOU LEFT THIS EARTH ON ANGEL WINGS,THEY TOOK YOU STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN.
YOU WERE ALWAYS A GREAT FRIEND,NOW YOU AND RICK CAN TALK,AND TALK,AND TALK..AND THEN GO FOR A FINE RIDE IN HEAVEN.
GOD HAS LOTS OF HARLEY'S IN HEAVEN.KISS MY ANGEL WHEN YOU SEE MY RICK.
LOVE YOU LEON,
CINDY (SEIDEL) AUCK
ALL OF THE SEIDEL FAMILY'S PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR LOVED ONES
Laurella Weninger
September 13, 2008
Aunt Lennie, Uncle Victor and all the family, I am so saddened to hear of Leon's passing. I cherish my fond memories as kids when they came to the farm in the summers. I know all your hearts are aching, God bless all of you. Keeping you in my prayers. Love, Floyd & Laurella (Heier) Weninger
Virgil, Judy and Crystal Horst
September 13, 2008
To a Friend, Brother, Biker and Veteran who served his country proudly. We shared some great rides and special times together. During our fair wells at the Veterans Cemetery, an EAGLE appeared above us, I knew it was you smiling down upon us all. Ride on my Brother, we will miss you.
"YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN."
Eugene & Judy Heier
September 12, 2008
Lennie,Victor and family,I was sorry to hear of Leons passing. I will always have great memories of Leon and Allen when they would spend the summers on the farm,I always waited for them and always had a good time.
Rick "Trees" and Cindy "Twigs" Aaser
September 12, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all of Leon's family. He was a great guy and always had a good time! He will be greatly missed by all of his muzzleloader family :( Rest in peace our dear friend
Sister Susan Lardy
September 12, 2008
To the family of Leon Heilman, Prayerful sympathy. May Leon be at peace with God. May you, his loved ones know the consolation and support of relatives and friends.
I knew the Heilmans when I taught Gilberta at Cathedral in first grade. I used to be Sister Yvonne. I remember you as a loving, gracious family. In Christ's love and peace.
Shari (Heier) Mondry
September 12, 2008
I was very saddened to hear of Leon's passing. I never knew him that well, but was reacquainted with him in 2007 at the bike rally in Menoken. I was very proud to introduce him to my husband as my first cousin. My prayers are with you. I wish I could be there.
Rhonda Fuhs
September 12, 2008
Rest in Peace and God Bless a Military Hero!!
Lisa Owen
September 12, 2008
Oh, Great Spirit who dwells in the sky,
lead us to the path of peace and understanding,
let all of us live together as brothers and sisters.
Our lives are so short here, walking upon
Mother Earth's surface.
Let our eyes be opened to all the blessings
you have given us.My memories of you are Treasares I will always carry.
My prayers,are with the Family of this Great Warror Leon may he rest in Peace Now.
sam and kathy hoffman
September 12, 2008
Victor, Lennie and family I am so sorry for your loss wish we could a have been there for you all our prayers are with you he will be missed by all his family and everyone who ever touched his life love you all.
Shirley "Seashell" Redmond-Clark
September 12, 2008
Leon will be missed by many, he was a man of great respect and honor. Always wanting to help anyone in need. I am privaliged to have know him.
Paula Mann (Shannon)
September 12, 2008
I'm so sorry to hear of Leon's passing- he was too young. It's never easy to lose someone dear to you. Your memories of Leon and the love and support of family and friends will keep him alive in your hearts forever. He is only a thought away. (I am a co-worker of Sue, and an old school friend of Mike ,Bill, and Dean.)
Paula Mann (Shannon)
September 12, 2008
I'm so sorry to hear of Leon's passing- he was too young. It's never easy to lose someone dear to you. Your memories of Leon and the love and support of family and friends will keep him alive in your hearts forever. He is only a thought away. (I am a co-worker of Sue, and an old school friend of Mike and Bill.)
Joni Maier
September 12, 2008
My life will never be the same without you in it. I will love you always.
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