01.31.08
JAMES EASTER HEATHMAN
JAMES EASTER HEATHMAN
Bazaar Dateline
Easter Heathman, 90, died Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at Newman Regional Health in Emporia, KS. A celebration of life memorial service will be held Saturday, February 2, 2008, at 2:00 P.M., at the Bazaar (Schoolhouse) Community Building in Bazaar, KS. with Pastor Rick Smith officiating. A Fort Riley honor guard will conduct a military service. Cremation has taken place. A private inurnment in Bazaar Cemetery will be held at a later date.
The son of Herman LeRoy and Hattie McCracken Heathman, James Easter was born April 7, 1917, in Bazaar, KS. He married Elaine Selves in 1938. They, later, divorced. He married Betty Looney Brittain and she died in 2001. He grew up on a farm and was a farmer all his life. He recalled his family’s love for music and the Heathmans hosted platform dances for friends and neighbors from Bazaar and Matfield Green near their modest home and his dad’s gas station. He, also, enjoyed “gardening”, raising tomatoes and growing fruit trees. He was a member of Zeredatha Masonic Lodge in Cottonwood Falls.
He worked at Boeing Aircraft during the early years of WWII installing engines in B-29 bombers. In 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines and Korea.
He, two of his brothers, and his dad were among the first people on the scene of the crash which killed Knute Rockne and seven other Notre Dame athletic staff members. He has been an active force in preserving artifacts, sharing stories of the day of the crash, giving tours of the site, and erecting a memorial in honor of Rockne and staff. A Rockne Memorial Museum is being established in downtown Cottonwood Falls so the memories will be passed to future generations.
He is survived by two sons: James Gordon Heathman and Thomas Robert Heathman, both of rural Cottonwood Falls, KS.; a daughter, Sue Ann Brown of Emporia, KS.; five grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and five brothers: Vaden Heathman, Edward Heathman, Junior Heathman, Don Heathman, and Dean Heathman.
There will be no family visitation prior to the service. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com. Memorial contributions to the Bazaar Community Building Fund or to the Rockne Museum Fund may be sent in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, KS. 66845, who is in charge of the arrangements.
Michael and Patricia Stockrahm said,
January 31, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Dear Family and Friends of James Easter Heathman.
A 42-year old man sits here typing to people I don’t know eyes welled with tears over a man I never met but feel like I know like my late father. I am going to the Notre Dame basketball game tonight and will light a candle at the Grotto and say a prayer of safekeeping and remembrance for all of you from your extended family at Notre Dame.
All the posters at NDNation have shared so many kind and genuine interactions with Mr. Heathman that few of us consider Easter a stranger. Thank you for all of your support of Our Lady and may God’s arms be open for the soul of a life well-lived.
God bless.
Mike ND ’87 & Pat ND ’91
Jim & Fran Burke said,
January 31, 2008 at 9:15 pm
My wife and I have been without internet access for several days and we just learned of Easter’s passing. We had the good fortune of meeting Easter, Sue Ann and John last March 31st, as we were invited into Easter’s home and taken to the Memorial.
We are deeply saddened, but grateful to have met you all. By now… Easter has finally met “Rock”, and Messr.’s Miller, Christen, Happer, Goldthwaite, Robrecht, Fry and Mathias, and they are now looking after him, and he has so lovingly looked after their memories, all of these years.
Godspeed, Easter…….Godspeed.
Mel and Chris Kabler said,
February 6, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Sue Ann and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Easter’s passing. We both enjoyed meeting him at the Chase Co. Historical Society Museum when Chris was there briefly as the Director of the museum. Easter was a delight to visit with and so very interesting to talk with and listen to his many historical comments. He will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
May God comfort you all and help you to remember the happy moments with Easter.
Mel & Chris Kabler
Jane Blackburn Chelberg said,
February 12, 2008 at 9:03 am
To the Heathman family,
My sister Ruth Blackburn Pfaff and myself send our prayers and love to each of you at the passing of Easter. Our Mom, Mary Ruth Baker Blackburn passed away on Jan. 3, 2008. She was 94. We miss her as you will all miss Easter, but knowing they are without pain and in better care, eases the hurt.
Of course the Heathman family was always part of the conversation when we reminesced about Chase County.
With sincere sympathy,
Jane Blackburn Chelberg
Ruth Blackburn Pfaff
The Luchetta Family said,
February 17, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Tom and Sue Ann-
I apologize for not writing sooner, I was unsure as to how to reach you. I am telling you nothing you don’t already know but your father was truly a wonderful man. My son, Anthony Luchetta (ND 2007) contacted Sue Ann shortly after graduation and prior to our move from the Midwest to California in an attempt to fulfill a dream of his…to visit Knute Knocke’s grave site. Your father, along with help from Sue Ann and Tom, made that dream come true. My wife and I had the honor of both accompanying our son and meeting your father that warm day in June. Tom, you stated that this particuar trip to the site might be his last as “Dad” gets real tired and it just takes too much out of him. I still get tears in my eyes as I think back on that day in June 2008 when your father described for us the seen as he arrived at the crash site. He got choked up that day as do I every time I tell the story. I am blessed and honored to have spent that time with your father.
Please understand that your father had a profound effect on my son that day in June that I know he will have with him for the rest of his life. Thank you both for making that happen. It is and was truly a blessing.
God Bless East Heathman.
Tom, Lori & Anthony Luchetta
15510 Sonora St.
Tustin, CA 92782
(949) 387-3280
Linda Thomson said,
February 25, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Condolences on your loss. I never had the privilege of meeting Easter; however, I know he came from good strong roots. I came across this notice just tonight while doing family research. My prayers are with you.
Linda (McCracken) Thomson
(A cousin through Easter’s mother’s family)
web.mac.com/thompuzzle (My Family History Site)
Jerry Heathman said,
February 29, 2008 at 8:32 am
Easter was my great uncle and 100% ND fan. He always wore ND hat and shirt over the years that I would visited him. Last seen him in Sept 07 at my Grandmothers funeral, (Vivan Heathman) and had a feeling it might be the last time I would ever see him. He gave my 9yr old son a tour and I know that will stick with him the rest of his life. My grandfather, (Vaden) was Easter brother and was there after the plane crash and told me how they secure the site and allow nobody on the site until the proper agencys show up. For the ND nation, I know Tom and Sue will maintain the site, because the event shape Easter life.