Eleanor Ruth Heathman

Eleanor Ruth Heathman, 83, of Toddville, Iowa, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Hiawatha Care Center in Hiawatha, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Free Methodist Church in Toddville, where a one-hour visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Tim DeVries will officiate. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Dunkard Cemetery in Midway, Iowa. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Center Point is assisting the family.

Eleanor was born on November 1, 1941, in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Floyd and Helen (Stender) Chester. She was a 1959 graduate of Cumberland Massena High School. On December 9, 1962, Eleanor was united in marriage to John Allen Heathman in Cumberland, Iowa. She worked for Rockwell Collins for over 27 years, until her retirement in 1997. Eleanor proudly volunteered her time to AARP, completing annual taxes for over 25 years. She was a member of the Toddville Free Methodist Church, where she often could be found attending Bible study or teaching Sunday School. Eleanor was very active within her church community and served as the secretary for over 30 years. She enjoyed quilting and travel, especially her drives to Texas. Eleanor was her grandchildren’s biggest supporter. She had a zest for life and was loved by all. Her “one liners” will be remembered by those lucky enough to be around her. Eleanor will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Eleanor is survived and lovingly remembered by her daughters, Toni (Bob) Lampe of Marion, and Michelle (Scott) Brokel of Ely, Iowa; four grandchildren, Alesha (Cody) Brandt of Plano, Texas, Sean (Emily) Weber of Des Moines, Iowa, Jakob (Kalisa) Brokel of Lisbon, Iowa, and Jessika Brokel (Ben King) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; six great-grandchildren, Maya and Max Brandt, Weston Weber, and Bower, Odin, and Bridger Brokel; siblings, Richard (Margo) Chester of Massena, Iowa, and Dallas (Grace) Chester of Michigan; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Heathman; and two sisters, Shirley Chester and Barb Miller.

Memorials in Eleanor’s memory may be directed to the Toddville Free Methodist Church.