Donald Dale Heineman

1941 - 2025

Donald Dale Heineman, 84, of Readlyn, Iowa, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, while in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Don was born on September 8, 1941, to Edwin and Erna (Thoms) Heineman on the family farm near Oran, Iowa, in Bremer County.

Donald was confirmed at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Oran by Pastor Eric Dornbush. He married the love of his life, Joyce Hartman, on September 23, 1962, at Zion Lutheran Church in Readlyn by Pastor Elmer Jacobs.

Don attended country school until sixth grade then attended Oran High School. He graduated in 1959 from Oran-Fairbank High School. He then attended a trade school to become an auto technician and worked for General Motors for 45 years. He continued to farm after retiring as a mechanic in 2007. He was also a local seed salesman and retired from farming in 2016. He was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Readlyn, where he served as a trustee, deacon and president over the years.

Don played baseball and softball on Readlyn teams for many years. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan. He enjoyed attending grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's events, fishing, gardening, farming, traveling with Joyce to Europe, Hawaii and throughout the United States.

Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joyce; two daughters and one son, Janell (Charlie) Levendusky of Oklahoma, Jeff Heineman of Cedar Rapids and Deann (Troy) Ambrosy of Waterloo; seven grandchildren, Joshua (Lauren), Brian (Taylor) and Troy (Mariah) Levendusky, all of Oklahoma City, Kyle (Elizabeth) Heineman of Shellsburg, Iowa, Kory (Sara) Heineman of Center Point, Iowa, and Lauren (Kirk) Moser of Garber, Iowa; eight great-grandchildren, Jackson, Rosalie, Valerie, Izabella and Ariella Heineman, Tate and Tyce Moser and Olivia Levendusky.

Don was preceded in death by a grandson, Klay Heineman; his parents, Edwin and Erna Heineman; his in-laws, Harvey and Elviera Hartman; three brothers, Duane, Harlan, and Jim Heineman; one sister-in-law, Joan Heineman; and two brothers-in-law, Darrell Hartman and Gary Kerns.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Readlyn and continue for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Jean Rabary officiating. Burial will be held in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Readlyn. Memorials may be directed to the Readlyn EMT/First Responders, Readlyn Library, or Zion Lutheran Church.

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, Readlyn is assisting the family, 319-279-3551.