Gary L. Heiserman, 81, of rural Lisbon, graduated to eternal life Oct. 2, 2024, following a long battle with respiratory disease. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services in Mount Vernon. Funeral Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Uncom-mon Church in Lisbon. Interment with military honors will be held at Lis- bon Cemetery.
Gary was born March 11,1943, in Manchester, to Frederick and LeLoie Heiserman. He was raised in rural Lamont, first by his sisters and aunt (after his mother passed away) and then by Cleo who married his father in 1946.
He attended and graduated from Lamont Schools in 1961 remaining lifelong friends with those he had spent those years with.
Shortly after graduation, Gary enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a crew chief of a Sikorsky CH-37 Mohave helicopter from 1961-1965. In 1964, Gary and former high school classmate, Marjory (Marge) DeLong were married at the Mount Vernon parsonage. Marge would precede him in death in 1989.
Gary and Marge made their first home at Camp Lejeune, N.C.,until they left the service in December 1965. They would then move to Kansas City, Mo., where Gary worked for his uncle at McConnell Asphalt Company before moving back to Iowa in 1967 at which time he started working at Iowa Manufacturing Company (later Ceda Rapids, Inc. and then Terex) in Cedar Rapids; he would retire from there 40 years later. Gary and Marge moved to the “Clear Creek Ranch” south of Lisbon in the summer of 1972 where Gary enjoyed raising draft horses, hogs, cattle, sheep, and in his later years, chickens earning him the title of “The Chicken Rancher.” Gary married Shirley Pospisil Campbell at The First Federated Church in Lisbon in 1990. During retirement, Gary and Shirley enjoyed traveling to visit family, playing cards at “the center,” and living the “farm life” until Gary’s health slowed them down.
He then enjoyed visits from folks stopping to buy eggs, visits from family and friends, and keeping track of EVERYBODY on Facebook. His daily Facebook updates from the Chicken Ranch earned him followers far and wide and if he missed a day, it was a tip-off that something was amiss.
Gary was a lifetime member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. He was a member of The First Federated Church, singing in the choir, narrating the annual Christmas cantata as well as serving on the board of directors for many years until its closing.
Gary was a member of the Uncommon Church, in Lisbon. He was also proud to be a veteran and a member of American Legion Post 109, serving as the Chaplain until his health would not allow him to do so any longer.
He especially enjoyed calling BINGO annually during Sauerkraut Days at the Legion stand.
Left to treasure his memory are his wife, children, Cary (Lisa) Heiserman, and Sara Heiserman; step-children, Stan (Julie) Campbell, Karen (Darren) Hurt, Lance Campbell, Jim (DeAnna) Campbell, and Carson (Francis Schatz) Campbell; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild, sisters-in-law Nadine
Heiserman and Pat Delong, numerous nieces and nephews, the extended Heiserman, DeLong, Pospisil, Campbell families, as well as his very good friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Marjory; siblings, Juanita, Eva Margaret, Dean, and Mary June; as well as son-in-law, Rick Clemons.
Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Gary’s tribute wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.