James Heisler

A service for James "Cliff" Heisler was held 2:00 p.m. Monday July 23, 2012 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry, Iowa. Visitation was Sunday July 22, 2012. Words of Comfort were provided by Pastor Charles Compton of the Perry Bible Church. Cliff's Honorary Casket Bearers were Tom Lipovac, Gail Davis, Jerry Cowles, Glenn Theulen, Richard Judd, and Dan Marburger. His Casket Bearers were Kevin Heisler, Jeff Snelson, Jerry Thornburg, Sheldon Snelson Jr., Mark Snelson, and Clarence Gunderson. At Cliff's service Linda Billings was the Pianist and Brenda Roberts was the Vocalist. Cliff's music was "Life's Railway to Heaven" and "How Great Thou Art". Interment took place at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, Iowa. American Legion Post #85, Floyd Foster VFW Post #2060, and Navy Honors Team did Military Rites at Cliff's Interment. James Clifford "Cliff" Heisler, son of James Jacob Heisler and Inez Louise Guthrie Heisler, was born August 28, 1925 in Colgan, North Dakota and died July 15, 2012 at the Perry Lutheran Home in Perry, Iowa at the age of 86. Cliff grew up in Colgan where he received his early education. He was awarded an Honorary Degree from Perry High School. Cliff joined the U.S. Navy when he was 17 and served during WWII. After his honorable discharge he worked for the Foundry. Later he worked at Priebes where he met the girl of his dreams, Lois Mansfield. They were united in marriage on March 4, 1949 in Des Moines, Iowa. They were blessed with a son, Robert. As Cliff had joined the Reserves for six years, he was called into the Korean War where he served from 1950 to 1952. Robert was just nine months old and Cliff was out to sea most of that time. In 1955, Cliff started his career with the railroad and worked for both the Milwaukee and Soo Lines. They had lived in Kansas City and Ottumwa before moving to Herndon and then to Perry, living on 5th street from1955 to 1958. As Cliff was working for the DMCI Railroad from 1958 to 1964 and due to the commute from Perry, they moved to Des Moines from 1958 to 1964. They moved back to Perry in 1964 and he continued to work for the railroad at Rockwell City. He retired February 16, 1986 as an Engineer. Cliff's job took them to various towns and they enjoyed living in each location, no matter where it was. They lived at the same address on Warford until moving to Spring Valley Retirement in October of 2008. They enjoyed their time there together until Cliff needed more care. He entered the Perry Lutheran Home November 15, 2010. Cliff was a kidder, with a great personality and sense of humor. He indeed was a people person and was loved by many. Cliff was invited by his brother-in-law Dwaine Mansfield to golf at Coon Rapids. He was bitten by the golf bug and became a member of the Woodward Golf Course in 1972. Lois joined him from 1975 to 1995. In his last two active years, Cliff enjoyed golfing at the Perry Golf and Country Club. His last round was a year ago with family. Cliff was at the McCreary Rec Center every day to exercise and swim. He walked six miles every morning with friends after he retired. Cliff was a sports fan and his favorite team was the St. Louis Cardinals. He not only watched sports on television, but he was an avid fan of the Perry Bluejays and Jayettes. He could be found in "his spot" at the gym and the sports fields. Cliff was a member of the American Legion and a member of the former Perry Moose Lodge. Cliff and Lois enjoyed many trips to Branson and to Tennessee to visit Elvis Presley's home. They took numerous bus trips to other spots and celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary with a bus trip tour to Kansas City and onto a dinner trip by train through scenic Colorado. Cliff is preceded in death by his parents, and his son, Robert Heisler; brothers George and Kenneth; sisters: Betty Snelson; Marcella Mull, and Eva Heisler. Cliff is survived by his wife of 63 years: Lois Heisler, granddaughters: Tammy Elliot of Perry and Bobbie Seifert, of Des Moines; two great grandchildren T.J. Warren and Amanda Seifert; nieces, nephews; other relatives and many, many friends.. www.hastingsfh.com