1917 - 1984
Clarus Heithoff was drafted into the US Army in August of 1942 at Camp Dodge, Iowa.
Prior to this he was farming near Dedham, IA. and after the war he moved to
Manning where he farmed.
He trained at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.
Clarus served as a military policeman from August 18, 1942 to August 24, 1945.
He was honorably discharged at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and achieved the rank of
Corporal.
He is the son of Bernard and Rose (Schnitter) Heithoff.
Clarus married Helene January of 1942 in Halbur, IA. and they had 5 children:
Diane Ploeger, Robert, Kathryn Smith, Barbara Wittrock and Jodi Riesselman.
All of the children graduated from Manning High School: Diane MHS 1962, Robert MHS 1964,
Kathryn MHS 1967, Barbara MHS 1971 and Jodi MHS 1973.
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The Heithoff farmstead is a Century Farm with a military history listed in the abstract. In 1850 Congress approved an act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who were engaged in military service for the United States.
To John Luflin -- private in Captain Killgore's Company, Ohio Militia, War of 1812 --- 80
acres November 1, 1859. |
Funeral services for Clarus Heithoff were held Monday, July 30, 1984, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church in Manning. The celebrant was Monsignor Dean Walker with interment held in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Manning. Casketbearers were Sam Wiese, Jerome Halbur, Lenus Borkowski, Alvan Hansen, Frank Handlos, and Lester Joens. Gift Bearers were Doug Riesberg and Brian Riesberg. Interment was held with military honors.
Clarus, son of Bernard and Rose (Schnitter) Heithoff, was born March 22, 1917, near Templeton, Iowa. He attended Sacred Heart School in Templeton.
On January 28, 1942, Clarus was united in marriage with Helene Herbers at St. Augustine Church, Halbur, Iowa.
Clarus farmed for a short time near Dedham until he entered military service during World War II and served 3 years in the Army Military Police Division. Following the war they moved to their present farm home near Manning, which became a century farm in 1981. He retired from farming in 1979 and pursued his hobby as a skilled wood craftsman.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Manning, the Knights of Columbus, Manning Chapter of the American Field Service, and the American Legion in which he held various local and county offices and was presently serving as chaplain of the local unit, and was a member of the American Legion Ceremonial Team. He served for many years on the election board and also as a township trustee.
Clarus died on July 26, 1984, at the age of 67 years, 4 months, and 4 days, at Manning General Hospital.
Clarus is survived by his wife, and the following children: Mrs. Diane Riesberg of Carroll; Bob Heithoff and his wife, Linda of LaVale, Maryland; Mrs. Mike (Kathy) Smith of Michigan City, Indiana; Mrs. David (Barbara) Wittrock of Seattle, Washington; and Mrs. Bob (Jodi) Riesselman of Metamora, Illinois. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Leonard (Sabina) Sporrer of Dedham; and 2 brothers, Marcellus of Verndale, Minnesota, and Harold and his wife, Alice, of Templeton; two sisters-in-law, Sally Heithoff of Manning and Helen Heithoff of Dedham; and 1 brother-in-law, Lawrence Schultes of Exira.
Clarus was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Cheryl at age 3 1/2; two brothers, Raymond and Lawrence; a sister, Mrs. Lawrence (Mildred) Schultes; and a son-in-law, Dennis Riesberg; and a sister-in-law, Ottilia Heithoff.