Merlin Carl Heinselman

Merlin Carl Heinselman; born June 20, 1937 in Charles City, IA to James Leigh and Alpha Louise (Behne) Heinselman. Passed away at The Arbors on August 13, 2014 after a long battle with Parkinson Disease. Graduated from high school in 1956 and immediately enlisted in the Army with 6 months of basic training and 8 years in the Reserves. In 1959 he attended the Schoitz School of Radiology Technology in Waterloo, IA, where he received his X-Ray Technician License. He married Diane Cose on May 31, 1959, and moved to Ft. Collins, CO in 1960 where he was head Technician at Larimer County Hospital. He became Chief Technician for Bannock Memorial Hospital in Pocatello, ID from 1961-1968. He was named Registered Technician of the Year by the Idaho Society of X-Ray Technicians. From 1968 to 1975, he worked in Missouri at North Kansas City Memorial Hospital as a Radiologic Technologist. He received an AA in Business Management from Maplewood Community College in Kansas City, MO in 1975. He worked at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX from 1975-1978 and belonged to the AHRA, residing in Plano, TX. In 1978, he moved to California and took a job with the UCSD Medical Center in San Diego and was there until 1987 residing in Rancho Pensaquitos, CA. He was elected President of the American Health Radiology Association (AHRA) in 1986 and received an engraved gold watch in honor. In 1986, he moved to Stockton, CA, and worked at St. Joe’s Medical Center as Director of the Department of Radiology until 1992. He moved to Lincoln, NE in 1992 where he worked as Director of Radiology at Bryan Memorial Hospital. In 1998, he received an Award of Exellence by the AHRA. He retired in 1999, after 40 years in the field of X-Ray. On January 27, 1994, his wife Diane Cose passed away after 35 years of marriage. On November 12, 1994, he married Mary Klepper; Mary and Merlin would have celebrated 20 years of marriage on November 12, 2014. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, serving in the following areas, Elder, Usher, Church Council and Board of Stewardship. He also served as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity; Meals on Wheels; and received a Certificate of Appreciation award for 5 years of service to Lincoln’s older adults through the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging Home Handyman Program. He enjoyed golf, genealogy research, bridge, reading, as well as spending time with his grandkids. He was a kind man and always ready to help someone in need. Survivors include his wife, Mary Klepper Heinselman; daughter and son in law, Denise Diane (John Kendall) Grosse ; grandchildren, Jessica Erin Grosse and John Carl Grosse of Gilbert, AZ; sons and daughters in law, Gregory Merlin (Kari Lynn) Heinselman; grandchildren, Zachary Merlin, Taylor Grace, Zane Gregory, and Tanner James Heinselman of River Falls, WI; son, Brent Wayne (Jennifer Lorene) Heinselman; grandchildren, Cameron Raif,and Colin Scott Heinselman of Lodi, CA; step-daughter Kristine Kay (Klepper) and her husband Bruce Scott Crowther of Cedar Rapids, IA; step-grandchildren, Scott James Crowther and Craig Lowell Crowther; step-son, Matthew A.C. Klepper and wife Talia Marie; step-grandchildren, Eli Arthur Wyatt Klepper, and Kynzie Sue Klepper of Lincoln, NE; brothers and sisters in law; Jim and Shirley Heinselman of Prescott, AZ and Donald and Dianne Heinselman of Littlestown, PA; a sister, Alta Kral of Evansdale, IA, as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and first wife, Diane (Cose) Heinselman. Memorial Services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday August 23, 2014 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with a luncheon to follow in the church fellowship hall. There will be no visitation. Memorials have been suggested to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Parkinson’s Foundation, American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.