Raphael Michael Heier
September 7, 1952 ~ August 4, 2016
Ray M. Heier, 63, Renner, SD, passed away Thursday, August 4, 2016 at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by family.
Mass of Christian burial for Raphael (Ray) Heier, 63, of Renner, SD will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hosmer, SD with Reverend Kevin Doyle celebrating.
Ray was born September 7, 1952 to Margaret (Hopfinger) and Adam Heier. He grew up on a small family farm near Hosmer, SD, and attended school in Hosmer, graduating with the class of 1970. Following graduation, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. From there he was transferred to Lockbourne Air Force Base near Columbus, OH. Following his discharge in June 1978 at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, SD, Ray enlisted in the North Dakota Air Guard in December 1980 where he served until his discharge in December 1992. During his time in the Air Force, he served in Alaska and Germany.
Ray married Debra Holdren in June 1972, in Columbus, OH. From this union they had two daughters, Cindi and JoAnn. Cindi now lives in Patriot, OH with her husband, Mark Saylers, and has two children Abby and Cameron. JoAnn lives in St. Marys, WV, with her husband Jason Davis and has two children Angelica Heier and Kyle Shodorf. On December 31, 1985, Ray married Nancy Waddell where he lived with her and her son, Todd, in North Fargo, ND. He then spent 20+ years with a very speical friend, Lori Rheault, and her 4 sons, James, Dennis (DJ), Joseph, and Justin in Dilworth, MN until 2013 when he moved to Renner, SD to live with his sister, Carol Scholten. There he created a woodworking shop where he spent many days working on his passion of building and refinishing furniture. He also worked for his brother, Barney, in the construction business.
Along with those already mentioned, blessed to have shared Ray’s life were his parents: Margaret and Adam Heier; his siblings: Len (Jean) Heier of Rapid City, SD; Pius (Gerri) Heier of Aberdeen, SD; Barney (Pam) Heier of Sioux Falls, SD; Kathy (Stan) Mohr of Clark, SD; Robert Heier of Kulm, ND; Wendell Heier of Mountain Ranch, CA; Bernie (Jack) Davis of Woonsocket, SD; Carol Scholten of Renner, SD; John (Kathy) Heier of Aberdeen, SD; Mike (Barb) Heier of Colorado Springs, CO; Ed (Brenda) Heier of Prior Lake, MN; and Tim (Michelle) Heier of Longmont, CO; 33 nieces and nephews and his may close friends from Dilworth MN, especially Dave and Ada Erickson, “Snookie”, Butch Mills, Tim & Pauline Rinke, and his special dog Lola.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Adam; brother, Wendell; nephew, Derek; and Nancy Waddell.
In lieu of flowers, Ray requested all memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).
We are sorry for your loss and will continue to keep Ray in our prayers. He was a good man and I am glad I got to visit with him at Aunt Margaret’s funeral. Sending love to the Heier family.