Paul Lawrence Heerdink

Paul L. Heerdink, 80, of Bloomington went peacefully to be with Jesus on February 21, 2024 at 5:25 PM in his home surrounded by his family. He was born June 5, 1943 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Walden and Dorothy (Gregory) Heerdink.

Paul was in the military for many years, first as an enlisted man and then in 1971 received a direct regular Army appointment with the rank of First Lieutenant and then later retiring as a Major with the ability to come back in in case of any federal emergencies. He served in Japan and many foreign countries including Vietnam as well as in the United States. He worked for the Federal Services at the Pentagon and was close to the President, was a combat signal officer and automatic data processing officer. He received many honors including the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and many high ranking Honors.

Paul attended college at MS State, Orange County California and took night classes at other state colleges. He would also work many other jobs to provide for his family.

He wrote the book “My Father the Midwife” a number 1 best seller. Paul, Carole and family had a TV show called “The Rebuilders” which would move people to new horizons and Jesus. He prayed for healing for many and belonged to the “Kings Men” at Saint John the Apostle Catholic Church where he was a Eucharistic Minister, building a prayer station and prayed for the sick at the church and abroad.

Paul helped serve the community with clothing, food and shelter. He visited with the sick and shut-ins, rebuilt bicycles for Toys for Tots and helped deliver to each needy family at Christmas and other times of the year.

He was a professor of Military Science at Indiana University, he lead the Computer Science Department and was in charge of ROTC and helped with the Changing of the Guards at every I. U. Football and Basketball game. He made everything fun for his students. He loved the military and his family, water skiing, Jesus, children, fast cars, old time cars, boats, sweets, yard work, camping in Italy and the United States, snow skiing in Europe and playing the mandolin. He was a faithful and loving husband for 61 years, a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was very active in his church.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Carole Heerdink; one son, Sean Paul (wife- Teresa McClanahan) Heerdink, of Bedford, Indiana; four daughters, Theresa “Terrie” (husband -Tommy Daniels) Shreve, of Dallas, North Carolina, Marlene (fiancé Mike Robertson) Meadows, of Bloomington, Paula (husband-Randy) Becraft, of Nashville, Indiana and Lilly Heerdink, of Bloomington; three sisters, Elizabeth (husband-Alan) Cramer, of Owensville, Indiana, Mary (husband-Roy) Roberts, of Owensville, Indiana, Marilyn (husband-Michael) Brizendine, of Indianapolis; two brothers, Don Heerdink, of Princeton, Indiana and Greg (wife-Trudy) Heerdink, of Bell Buckle, Tennessee, twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and pets Izzy and Smoke. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Jeffery Kevin Heerdink who went to be with Jesus in 2019.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, February 26 at 12:00 noon at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 4607 West IN-46, Bloomington, IN 47404. Burial will follow in Valhalla Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends and family on Sunday, February 25 from 2:00 – 6:00 PM at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 East Third Street, Bloomington.

The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to the Bloomington Community Kitchen.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dayderemiahfrye.com