Don Heiple, 92, died peacefully on December 12 at home with his family. He was a graduate of St. Louis University; served as a Captain in the US Army in Chemical Warfare Service from 1941 to 1946 and he moved to Phoenix with his family in 1951. A real estate broker, President of Don Heiple & Associates, Red Carpet Realtors until 1988. His experience and expertise had been in all facets of Real Estate: commercial, residential, industrial, land investment and property management. His service to the Phoenix Board of Realtors had been as President and member of the Ethics, Education, and Professional Standards Committees. Furthering his interest in his profession, he served as Director of the Arizona State Board of Realtors. A true believer in giving back to the community and the Catholic Church he was an active member and President of the North Phoenix Lions Club, President of the Serra Club of Phoenix, President of Catholic Social Services, President of Catholic Charities of Phoenix and Tucson, a Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus and Chairman of the Maricopa County American Red Cross. He was an avid golfer and a long time member of both Moon Valley Country Club and Phoenix Country Club. In his retirement years when he wasn’t on the golf course, he was actively volunteering and supporting St. Vincent de Paul and was honored to be a Knight of Malta. He was truly a kind and gentle man, he lived his Faith and loved his family deeply. He will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mildred; 4 children, Pat Nochta (Jon), Tina Lockwood Stewart (Brent), John Heiple & Dave Heiple (Kathy) and preceded in death by his son Jim Heiple, all of Phoenix; a sister, Lois Wurst of Texas and 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. A Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 pm, with a Rosary at 7:00 pm, Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Thursday, December 17, 2009 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Vincent de Paul, P. O. Box 13600, Phx., AZ 85002 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phx., AZ 85014
Dr. Ted Hunt
During the most formative years of my life, the years when I transitioned from being a boy into being a man, Mr. Don Heiple was as important to me as my own wonderful father. Mr. Heiple’s example was enduring, an inspiration and guide for me; a model that taught me not by words but by example, how to be a man; how to treat others with respect and dignity; a lesson that I carried with me as Los Angeles Police Officer, as a magistrate and on the various board and commissions on which I served and still serve.
I had the honor to know and more importantly to learn from that wonderful, Godlike man. He was the embodiment of his faith. He was devoted to his lovely wife and his wonderful, perfect children.
It is not possible to explain how much he taught me. It is as if it were yesterday. It is vivid. I recall Mr. Heiple counseling me about the meaning of life; the purpose of being and man’s search for happiness. That was over 40 years ago and it still poignant. He guided my thought pattern.
On day Mr. Heiple explained that he was not afraid to die. That was around 1968. He said that he was prepared because he lived his life so that when the day came he would be worthy to meet God and His Son. He was at peace. That is a place where most men want to be but for one reason or another it is beyond the reach of most men. Don Heiple not only reached that goal he lived his life with the knowledge and security of that faith and confidence.
I have a deep and abiding faith in God All Mighty and in heaven. There is no question in my mind if I make it there Mr. Heiple will be in the greeting party. God willing that will be fulfilled.
May the friends, family and faith grant to the Heiple Family all comfort and peace as they continue to love the Husband and Father who gave so much for the betterment of mankind and the love of his family.
J. TED HUNT
Los Angeles Police Department (Retired)
Alcoholic Bevearge Control Appeals Board (Reitred)
James W Heiple
Dr. Hunt,
Thank you for the kind words about my Grandfather. Over the formative years of my life I learned how special and how selfless a man he truly was. It has been just about a year since he passed, but his spirit and humor I get to see all the time in my father who has also passed on his wisdom, guidance and love by living by the example his father provided. I’m sure people will say the same about him when he is gone. I sure know I have huge footsteps to follow in.
God bless,
James W Heiple