George E. Heideman, 66, of Seneca, KS, died late Monday evening, February 16, 2004, at his home. He had bravely fought cancer since 1997.

He was born October 21, 1937, in Kansas City, KS, the son of John B. and Rachael Aziere Heideman. He grew up in Seneca and graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in 1955. During high school he worked with Bob Calderwood in the meat market at the A&P Store in Seneca. He also filled in for managers in meat departments in Sedalia, MO, Clinton, MO, and Kansas City, KS.

On January 10, 1957, he married Shirley Meyer at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. They lived in Hiawatha for a year where he worked for George Gudenkauf Rendering Service. They returned to Seneca where they purchased the meat department at the A&P from Bob Calderwood.

In 1964 they sold the meat market to Bill Murphy. They built the Heideman Locker in June of 1966 where they did custom slaughtering and meat processing for 25 years. In 1989 they opened the Heideman Smoke House on Seneca’s Main Street and sold it in 1997. George also farmed north of Circleville and east of Seneca.

He served as mayor of Seneca twice, from April 1995 to April 1997, and April 2001 to April 2003, and on the Seneca City Council from April 1993 to April 1995.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the St. Joseph Society at the church, and the Knights of Columbus Council #1769, all in Seneca. He was also an active member of the Seneca Lion’s Club, the Seneca Golf Association, and a charter member of the Seneca Jaycees.

When the Seneca Emergency Medical Technicians Association was organized, George was one of the first members and served several years as an EMT. He served on the Nemaha Valley School Board and was an instigator in the establishment of the present football field. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, hunting, and water skiing with the family.

Survivors are his wife Shirley of the home; a son, Daniel of Wamego, KS; a daughter, Janice Grauer of Seneca; a sister, Marilyn Enneking of Seneca; and five granddaughters.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John R. Heideman on October 4, 1989 and Leo “Galen” Heideman on May 9, 1995; and an infant sister, Mary Ann on January 10, 1930.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Thursday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 8:15 PM Wednesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for the CT Scanner at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital or to the STEP Foundation, and sent in care of the family.