Gene Avery Heaberlin was born September 24, 1937 in Marion County, Iowa the son of Stanley and Jessie (Core) Heaberlin.
He was raised on the family farm in Pleasantville and graduated with the Pleasantville High School Class of 1955. In high school, Gene was a member of the State Track Team and recently received the Hall of Fame Award from Pleasantville Schools. Gene farmed in the Pleasantville area his entire life. He also raised hogs until the mid 1980’s and raised some of the best Hereford Cattle in the area. In the 1960’s and 70’s he was active in the Jaycee’s. Gene was very active in the Iowa Hereford Association for many years. Through the association he had been to John Wayne’s Bar 26 Ranch and had a steak dinner with the movie star. He was an successful farmer and had won several yield contests for soybeans and corn from Pioneer Hybrid. Gene also co-owned the Fireside Lounge in Pleasantville for several years and later was a bartender at Shorty’s on the weekends.
On June 1, 1975 Gene was united in marriage to Janice Hodgson. The couple were avid supporters of Pleasantville Athletics and were previous Grand Marshalls of the Homecoming Parade.
Gene was an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed deer and turkey hunting and fishing.
Gene passed away Friday, December 30, 2022 at Vintage Hills, in Indianola, surrounded by his family at the age of 85 years.
In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his brothers, Carl and W. Bruce Heaberlin.
Those left to honor Gene’s memory include his wife, Janice; children: Debra (Brad) Klauenberg, Steve (Vonda) Renfrow and Denny (Tamra) Renfrow; grandchildren: Amanda (Pat) Wall, Bronya (Casey) Willmore, Darbie (Adam) Ballard, Hattie (fiancé, Matthew Kauffman) Renfrow, Kate (Kurt) Barinis and Anna Renfrow; great-grandchildren: Addison and Brody Wall, Quincy, Fallon and Kolbie Willmore and Lelah Ballard and many other family members and friends.
A Memorial Service for Gene Heaberlin, age 85 of Pleasantville, will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at the Fairview Christian Church. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at Fairview Christian Church. Burial will be in Pleasantville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Pleasantville Booster Club or to Suncrest Hospice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gene Avery Heaberlin, please visit our flower store.