Born in Memphis, Tenn., Chris had been a Middle Tennessee resident since 1974. He attended
St. Henry’s school K-8th grade and was a 1988 graduate of Father Ryan High School. In 1992
Chris graduated from Western Kentucky University, where he was a proud member of Kappa
Alpha fraternity. His friendships from college were strong and enduring for nearly 30 years after
graduation.
Chris joined the Administrator In Training program with National HealthCare Co. in 1997 and
quickly became one of the top administrators for NHC, working at NHC Springfield and then
NHC Hendersonville. He was loved by his staff and residents and nominated for some of
NHC’s highest awards.
A music lover, Chris could often be found at one of Nashville’s many music venues enjoying all
the entertainment that the city offers. He enjoyed craft beers and cigars, Predators hockey and
Titans football. His tight friendship circle met weekly for Bible study; “iron sharpens iron” was
one of his favorite verses.
Chris was playful and goofy and always seemed to have a smile on his face. He loved big
and he loved intensely, and he loved his children with fervor. He was preceded in death by his
father, Roger Edward Heeren. He is survived by his mother, Catherine Bosi Heeren; his three
children Sophia Marie, Ava Catherine and Edward Michael, and their mother, Jennifer; his
brother, Jeffrey Craig (Ashley) Heeren; and two nephews, Archer Edward Heeren and Simon
Bennett Heeren. He leaves behind a treasure trove of deep and strong friendships and he will
be truly, sorely, deeply missed.
Services will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., on
Friday, Sept. 25, with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and a funeral Mass at 2 p.m. In lieu of
flowers, donations can be made in Chris’s name to the Tennessee Chapter of the Alzheimer’s
Association (alz.org) or the National Alliance on Mental Health (nami.org).
