Eugene F. “Gene” Heiman, 78, of Baileyville, Kansas, died Saturday, July 6, 2013 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

He was born on January 23, 1935 at the Axtell Hospital, to Leo J. and Frances R. Mueting Heiman. He graduated from Baileyville High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. National Guard from May 1953 to May 1961.

On April 25, 1957 he married Bernice Hammes at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They lived and farmed two miles north of Baileyville. Gene was a lifelong farmer, raising stock and crops.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Baileyville Knights of Columbus #13087, Sacred Heart Parish Council (past President), and the ASCS County Committee for 11 years.

He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s’ events, playing cards and the popcorn and pop at Beaver’s Station (Koch’s Conoco). He loved riding his ATV (“his mule” as he called it) to check on his row crops; he took great pride in the land he farmed and the crops he grew.

Gene is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bernice of the home; children, Becky (Allen) Wiebe of Summerfield, Dan (Gloria) Heiman of Baileyville and Nancy (Mark) Strasburg of Topeka; grandchildren, Ashley (Brian) Herrman of Olathe, Craig Wiebe of Summerfield, Donovan and Zach Heiman of Baileyville; a great-grandchild, Kylynn Herrman; and siblings, Gilbert Heiman, of Seneca, Virginia Koelzer of Baileyville, Betty Lane of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Edna Fangman of Topeka, Geraldine Beres of Clifton, Virginia, Thelma Bowhay of Netawaka, and Donna Broxterman of Harleysville, Pennsylvania.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo on January 4, 1958 and Frances on January 3, 2005.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, July 9, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Monday, July 8, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.