Richard Heilman

Richard Joseph Heilman, 64, died on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010, at his home in Rugby.

He was born in Rugby on March 14, 1946, the son of Wendelin (Wendell) James and Margaret Clara (Hoffert) Heilman. He was raised in Reno Valley Township, Pierce County, went to country school through the 7th grade and graduated from Rugby High School in 1964. He graduated from Wahpeton State School of Science with a AA degree in printing technology. He entered the U.S. Army in 1966, and was honorably discharged as a Specialist 5 in September 1968. He worked as a printer in Montana and several other locations until 1970, when he moved to Rugby to begin farming the family homestead with his wife, Marjorie Theresa Fritel, whom he had married on Oct. 10, 1970, in Rugby. In addition to farming, he milked cows and drove a propane delivery truck for Brandt Oil until 1984. He continued his education by taking farm management classes in the evenings. Richard continued farming and ranching after moving to Rugby in 2004, even in spirit, until the time of his death.

During the past years he and his wife wintered in Arizona. He enjoyed fishing, driving his teams of horses, and was known for his handcrafted rosaries and bracelets. He was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus #4136, the Clarence Larson Post #23 American Legion, the Pierce County Farm Bureau, and the Pierce County Weed Board. In past years, he served his community by serving on the Rugby School Board for 9 years, as a Reno Valley Township Supervisor, and as a member of the Catholic church councils of the Balta and Rugby Catholic churches.

He is survived by his wife, Marge, of 40 years; his mother, Margaret, Rugby; his children, Kevin and his wife Brenda, Rugby, and Jason and his wife Daunne, Rugby. He also leaves his brothers, Ron and his wife Dianne, Bottineau, and Bob Heilman, Surrey; his sisters, Sharon and her husband, Wayne Johnson, Minot, Rita Argersinger, Littleton, Colorado, Bernadette and her husband Dave Price, Denver, and Anita Posey, Denver. In addition, he leaves his grandchildren, Kaycee, Allison, Cade, Bailey, and Taylor, who were the love of his life.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wendell, on Aug. 24, 1984, and his brother-in-law, Mike Argersinger.

Funeral services will be held at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. Father Thomas M. Graner will officiate. Roger Bachmeier will be the reader, and music will be provided by Glenda Mack, organist, and Galen J. Mack and Kathy Voeller, soloists.

Casketbearers will be Brad Bachmeier, Chuck Fritel, Troy Heilman, Brett and Craig Johnson, and Brian Leonard. Honorary casketbearers will be his nieces and nephews.

Military honors will be accorded by the North Dakota Military Honors Detail and the Clarence Larson Post #23 American Legion.

Arrangements by Niewoehner Funeral Home, Rugby.

Burial will be in the Little Flower Cemetery.