Roger Heesch

My name is Roger Alan Heesch. I was born on October 14, 1946, in Davenport, Iowa, to Donald H.L. and Phyllis A. (Rahn) Heesch. I died in Kingman, Arizona, on September 11, 2026, at the age of 79.

I graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1964 and attended St. Ambrose University in my hometown. In 1967 I graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Mortuary Science, and soon after I entered the U.S. Army, serving in the Mortuary Corp., mostly in Germany.

When I came home, I began a career that would define my life. I worked at Hill and Fredrick Funeral Home and was co-manager of McGinnis Funeral Home. Then I spent 18 years at Runge Mortuary. Later I became a partner in funeral homes in DeWitt, Le Claire and Clinton, and in Clinton Lawn Cemetery. I finished my Iowa years as owner of the Heesch Funeral Home in Le Claire.

After enough harsh Iowa winters, I moved to Kingman in 2008. I went to work at Sutton Memorial Funeral Home, first full time and later part time, because I wanted to stay active in the work I loved. I was a licensed funeral director for 58 years, and it was a privilege to serve families at the hardest times of their lives.

The Masonic family was a big part of my life in the Quad Cities. As a young man I joined the Davenport Chapter of the Order of DeMolay. I later served as an Advisor there and was honored with the Chevalier and the Legion of Honor. I was a charter member of Early Morning Lodge in Bettendorf, now Bend of the River Lodge, and a member for more than 50 years. I was also a member of Snow Lodge in Le Claire.

Mohassan Grotto in Davenport was especially close to my heart, where I served as its Past Monarch. I also served as Past President of the Midwest Grotto Association and held several national offices and committee appointments with the Grottoes of North America. After moving to Kingman, I kept my membership in Abbid Grotto.

I was proud to hold a Life Membership in VFW Post 9128 and to be a 32-year member of American Legion Post 154, both in Bettendorf. I also served as a District Governor of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association.

In my later years I faced cancer five times. Thanks to some fine doctors and hospital staff, I won the first four rounds, but the fifth was too big a fight.

I leave behind my daughter, Phyllis (Kevin) Bruleigh, and their son, Jason, of Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada. I also leave my son, Scott (Amy) Schaberg, and their children, Holly (Paul) Allen, Ethan, and Heath (India) Schaberg, all in North Carolina. I am also survived by four great-grandchildren, by my former wife, Nancy Dominacki, Czubara of Davenport; and by other relatives.

I was preceded in death by my brother and sister-in-law, David and Sharon Heesch.

A private family service will be held at the Rock Island Arsenal.  A visitation will be from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on Monday, October 12, 2026 at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memories may be shared on the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries website. Memorials may be made to the VFW Bettendorf or a charity of your choosing.