Ronald William Heitzman

Ronald William Heitzman, 91, of Rock Island, formerly of Geneseo, passed away, September 11, 2025, at Friendship Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, September 18, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, East Moline. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be at Greenview Memorial Gardens. Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., Moline, are assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, or a tree may be planted in Ron's honor.

Ron was born on August 4, 1934, in Peoria, IL, the son of William F. and Ella (Grafelman) Heitzman. He married Margaret “Peg” E. Smith in Peoria, on April 1, 1956.

Ron retired as president and co-owner of Contracting Corp. of Illinois, in Moline, IL in 1989. He started his carpenter apprenticeship in Peoria, IL, and worked for a total of 37 years in commercial construction. He also designed and built three of his residences. Ron was in the Navy Seabees for 12 years, and was discharged in 1964 as Chief Petty Officer. He owned, developed, and actively managed 400 acres of wetlands and timber. Ron's true passion was hunting and fishing at every opportunity!

Survivors include his wife, Peg; daughters, Laura “Lori” (Matt) Hipes of Ottawa, IL, Robin (Carl) Hocking of Cheyenne, WY, and Teresa Mahsem of Wausau, WI; grandchildren, Andrea, Timothy, Tyler, Ryan, and Adam; great-grandchildren, Kai, Niko, Eden, Charli, Dean, Liam, and Daisy; brother, William E. Heitzman.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Harold, Gerald, Robert, and Richard Heitzman.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.