Edward J. Heilers, 78, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, May 30, 2021, in his home.  Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2021, at St. John XIII Catholic Church with burial to follow in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 2021 at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids.

Edward was born January 25, 1943 in Dyersville, the son of Albert F. and Alvina A. (Klas) Heilers.  He graduated from Maquoketa Valley High School, class of 1961.  Ed was united in marriage to Judith Ann Richter on January 29, 1966, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earlville.   Ed worked for nineteen years at FMC/Linkbelt, and then over twenty years with College Community School District, retiring as the Director of Building and Grounds in 2005.  In his retirement, he mowed the grounds at Hughes Nursery.  He enjoyed playing cards, watching the Hawkeyes, and was proud supporter of Loras College and DuHawk sports.   He was actively involved in his grandchildren's activities and enjoyed completing daily word puzzles. Ed was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus #909 as well as St. John XXIII Catholic Church. He was awarded the Pride of Prairie for exemplary service to the College Community School District, in addition Ed and Judy were Parents of Year at Loras College in 1987.

Ed is survived by his children Kevin Heilers of Cedar Rapids, Greg Heilers of Kansas City, Missouri, Gary (Tracy) Heilers of St. Charles, Illinois, and Traci (Daniel) Byrnes of Waukon; six grandchildren Richard Dandurand (Alyssa Mendenhall) and Eddie Dandurand, Ian, Andrew and Zack Heilers, and Natalie Byrnes; son-in-law Robert Dandurand of Salix; his brother John (Beverly Jo) Heilers of Bemidji, Minnesota; brother-in-law John (Lynne) Richter of Earlville; sisters-in-law Faye (Wayne) Meyers of Eugene, Oregon, Joann (Collin) Proctor of Wilton, Diane (Jim) Stone of Cedar Rapids and Suzy Richter of Solon; as well as his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Judy, daughter Cherie Dandurand, and brother-in-law Gene Richter.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family or charity of choice.