Paul L. Heitkamp, 62, Malvern

Paul Lewis Heitkamp, age 62, of Malvern, died unexpectedly in the emergency center at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, on Jan. 3, 2009. Funeral services were held Thursday, January 8, 2009, at Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home in Malvern. Officiating was Rev. Carl Phillips of the United Methodist Church. Military honors were provided by Harry Hammons Post 520, Malvern American Legion. “Taps” by Tracy Ryan, Bugler. A private interment was held.

Mr. Heitkamp, one of four children of Ida M. (Mack) and Walter Albert Heitkamp, was born in Jefferson, on May 29, 1946. He grew up in Ogden, and graduated from Ogden High School in 1964. Following school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in Vietnam during the war. After the service, he returned to Boone, and worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. During this time, he earned his associate degree at Fort Dodge Community College. In 1971, he moved to Glenwood, where he was a resident treatment worker at the Glenwood State Hospital School.

Mr. Heitkamp met Kathy Sue Walker from Boone, who was also employed at the Glenwood State Hospital School. The couple were married on Sept. 7, 1973, in Glenwood where they made their home. The marriage was blessed with their son, Josh Tyler Heitkamp. In 1984, the family moved to Malvern. Mr. Heitkamp continued working at the Glenwood Resource Center until his retirement in 2003. In the fall of 2004, he became the teacher associate at the Malvern Alternative School.

Mr. Heitkamp was currently serving on the Variance Board in Malvern and had previously served on the Malvern City Council and the Malvern Volunteer Fire Department. He had enjoyed coaching Little League Football in Malvern and the girls’ softball team in Glenwood. He was a sports reporter for the Malvern Leader and wrote articles on both Malvern and Nishna Valley sports. Later, he could be seen on the sidelines at Malvern football games taking statistics. He was an avid lifelong collector of sports cards. In addition to his love of sports, he also enjoyed working in his yard, gardening, and caring for his flowers.

Mr. Heitkamp was preceded in death by his parents; and stepfather, Nick Schroeder. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Heitkamp; and son, Josh Heitkamp, both of Malvern; sisters, Elaine Hall of Florida; and Judith Schmidt of Harlan; brother, Joel Heitkamp of Harlan; nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

A memorial fund has been established. Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home of Malvern was in charge of arrangements.