Margery Heddens

Margery Warfield Heddens, 90, of Bloomington, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, January 11th, 2025 at Luther Oaks Assisted Living Facility in Bloomington. 

Margery "Marge" was born in Cerro Gordo, Illinois on April 6, 1934, to the late Thomas and Ruth (Dobson) Warfield and grew up on a farm near Rantoul, Illinois with her siblings Kathryn, Esther, Carolyn, Tom, and Robert. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in English. While at the University of Illinois, she met her husband, John W. Heddens Jr., at the school’s spring carnival. They married on August 10, 1957, in Urbana, Illinois. She was devoted to her husband and family and loved spending time with her grandchildren. 

Marge enjoyed writing and journalism, working as a proofreader for the local Urbana newspaper while in high school. At the university, she worked as a writer for the Daily Illini newspaper. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa; and went on to teach high school English in Arlington Heights, IL. After leaving teaching to raise her four children, she then worked as a coordinator for the United Way in Des Plaines, Illinois. 

Marge enjoyed many activities including knitting, golf, playing bridge, attending dance club with John, theater outings and visiting her children and grandchildren. She was very active in educational, charitable, and community groups including the AAUW, the Soroptimist Club and the Antioch Women’s Club. Marge and John traveled far and wide with longtime friends. She and John then took up RVing, traveling across the country visiting family and friends. She loved dogs, always having a furry pal or two beside her. 

Marge is survived by her children, Eric (Penny), Laurie (Chris), and David, two grandchildren, Kathryn and Claire, and three step-grandchildren Lisa, Carly, and Jim, nine step-great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Ruth Warfield and Janet Warfield, and several nieces and nephews. 

Marge was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Ruth Warfield, siblings Kathryn Warfield, Esther Moore, Carolyn VonWolf, Tom Warfield and Robert Warfield, her husband, John and eldest son, Brad. 

Burial will be at Warren Cemetery in Gurnee, Illinois, where her husband is also at rest. Visitation will be at 10:30 am on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Warren Funeral Home followed by the funeral at 12:30 pm. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice. 

Warren Funeral Home in Gurnee, Illinois is assisting the family.