Thomas J. Heitzman, age 88, passed away at Porter Hills Village on September 19, 2023. Tom, along with his seven siblings, was born in Evansville, IN, a place that forever was special to him. After high school, his family moved to Grand Rapids and made it their lifelong home.
Tom proudly served in the Army, and then married and raised six children with his ex-wife Belinda. For the last three decades of life, he made a home with his beloved Carol Jeffreys and their blended families.
Tom always had an open door for family and friends. He loved playing horseshoes in the backyard, tending his garden after work, dancing to Proud Mary, grabbing a friend for fishing, inviting over a neighbor for a beer, visiting with fellow veterans at the VFW or American Legion, and playing Keno.
Professionally, he worked 40 years in human relations for an automobile manufacturer and after retiring worked at Reyers North Valley Chapel, where he provided comfort and service to those in need.
Tom is survived by his beloved Carol; his children Lisa (Don) Morren, Nancy (Todd) Lassen, Bliss Heitzman, B.T. Heitzman, Trent (Kris) Heitzman and Shandra (fiancé John Jenks) Scheidel; 20 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his brothers James (Pat), Paul (Margo), and John (Karen) Heitzman and his sister Judy Benjamin; Scott (Kim) Jeffreys, Dan Jeffreys; as well as many other relatives.
A funeral service with military honors will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 22 at Reyers North Valley Chapel. Private burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorial donations in memory of Tom may be directed to St. Ann’s Home at https://stannshome.com/donate/ or Porter Hills Village Team Member Support Services at https://foundation.mybrio.org/donate-online/
