James E. "Jim" Heitkamp, 88, of Menominee, IL, passed away at 10:28 P/M, Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque, IA.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A/M, Thursday, April 10, 2014, at Nativity BVM Catholic Church, Menominee, with Rev. Dean Smith, Rev. Ted Lewandowski, and Rev. Michael Berry concelebrating.  Burial will be in Nativity BVM Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by members of American Legion Post #787.

Friends may call from 3 P/M to 8 P/M, on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, and from 9:30 A/M to 10:30 A/M, on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at the Miller Funeral Home, East Dubuque, where the parish scripture service will be at 2:45 P/M and the Holy Name Society rosary will be recited at 8 P/M, on Wednesday.  Members of American Legion Post #787 will meet at 6 P/M, on Wednesday, at the funeral home.

Jim was born on February 23, 1926, on the family farm in Menominee, the youngest child of Joseph and Irene (Fleege) Heitkamp.  He married LaVonne C. Theill, on October 3, 1953, at Nativity BVM Church, in Menominee.  They were blessed with 60 plus years of marriage and six children.  Jim and LaVonne farmed the family farm until 1996.

Jim served his country from 1954-1956 in the U S Army, during the Korean Conflict.  He was a member of Nativity BVM Parish all of his life.  He was a member of the Holy Name Society, Finance Council, and the School Board where he also served as chairman.  He was also a member of the Galena Knights of Columbus, Council #696, American Legion Post #787, of East Dubuque, and the Menominee-Dunleith Fire Department.

He was a devout participant in the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel in East Dubuque, and a fan of the Chicago Cubs.  He will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Surviving are his wife, LaVonne; six children, Joseph (Judy) Heitkamp and Michael (Laura) Heitkamp, both of Menominee, IL, Virginia (Terry) Holland and Mary Jane (Alan) Conrad, both of Scales Mound, Paul (Beth) Heitkamp, of Rockford, IL, and Mark (Stacey) Heitkamp, of East Dubuque, IL; Twenty (20) Grandchildren; Four (4) Great-Grandchilden; a sister, Germaine Robinson, of Savanna, IL; his in-laws, Merla (Carlisle) Jacobi, Wesley (Ruth) Theill, Charlene Hinderman, and Mervin (Rosie) Theill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Irene; one brother, Robert (Margaret) Heitkamp; sisters, Mary Ellen (Edward) Berning, Monica (Clarence) Houttakker; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wesley and Ida Theill; and brothers-in-law, Hubert "Wimpy" Robinson and Frank Hinderman.

LaVonne and family wish to "thank" the staff at Mercy Medical Center for their kind and compassionate care, and the many neighbors and friends for their visits and kind acts throughout the years.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.