Floyd Heithoff

Floyd F. Heithoff, 89, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

Floyd Francis was born on September 26, 1928, in Carroll, Iowa, to John and Alma (Frommelt) Heithoff, the fifth of eight children. He attended SS Peter & Paul grade school and graduated from Carroll High School in 1946. He was active in sports and musical programs, playing an end on a football team that was undefeated during his three years of varsity.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July of 1946 and took his boot camp in San Diego, CA, and then was sent to clerical school at the Marine Air Station in Santa Ana, CA. While there he extended his enlistment for four years, in order to be eligible for overseas duty, and gain college possibility. He was assigned to a radar-radio squadron of 28 enlisted and four officers to serve on Midway Island (MBAWS), and this squadron operated the radio and radar for the Navy. He served for a year and a half until his father passed away unexpectedly and left his mother with three children at home. He was given a dependency discharge but stayed in the inactive reserve. He was called to active duty at the outbreak of the Korean War and served as a Sergeant Major of an Advanced Infantry Battalion at Camp Pendleton.

Following his honorable discharge, he returned home to Carroll and married Edna Kerper on February 1, 1951. They returned to California and lived in Laguna Beach where for the next 13 months he served at Camp Pendleton. Upon his discharge in January 1953, they returned to Carroll. He joined his oldest brother, Vernon, and started Heithoff Furniture, which lasted until February of 1961 when Floyd purchased Neiby Furniture in downtown Atlantic. He immediately relocated the store to what is now the WalMart area. In 1998, he sold the store to his daughter, Cathy, and he continued to install window coverings for her. Floyd was very active in the business community of Atlantic; serving and presiding over many organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and YMCA. He was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church where he was one of two members that assisted the parish priest. He was also on the parish financial committee until the Diocese went to the Parish Council concept. The gatherings for this were held in Atlantic due to its central location, and he was in charge of scheduling and the meetings.

Floyd somehow managed to have a very vital social life amidst all of his busyness; he was an avid golfer and past president of Atlantic Golf and Country Club. He loved to fish, which he shared with his grandkids as well as golf cart rides. He was the King of games and cards, and enjoyed many games of Pitch surrounded by the same group of guys for many years. He also knew how to bring a lot of fun to the holidays!

He is survived by his wife, Edna; children, CJ (Kim) Heithoff of Council Bluffs, IA, Cindy (John) Winsted of Centennial, CO, Cathy (Mike) Baragary of Walnut, Diane (Elmer) Grunst of Bailey, CO and Becky (Tony) Zablocki of Centennial, CO; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Jeff) Steenhoek, Brian (Emily) Heithoff, Tom (Sonya) Watson, Allana (Greg) Lenz, Dan (Julie) Watson, Ellyn Winsted, Emily (Nathan) Clark, Lillie Zablocki, Ross Grunst, Cooper Zablocki, Brian (Jen) Denham, Matt Denham, Casey (Anna) Baragary and Bryce Baragary; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings, Howard (Pat) Heithoff, Wayne Heithoff and Mary Schwabe; brothers-in-law, Larry (Jen) Kerper and Richard (Carol) Kerper; sister-in-law, Jolene Spellman; and a host of extended family and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; John and Alma Heithoff; son-in-law, Tim Denham; siblings, Wilfred, Vern, and Bob Heithoff and Florine Brisbois; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 23rd at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 24th at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic. A private family burial, with military honors by the Atlantic Color Guard, will be held in the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Atlantic.

Memorials are preferred to the Ann Wickman Child Development Center or to SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, both in Atlantic.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Floyd’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.