Willis L. Heeren, 83, of Colona, died Thursday, May 6, 2010, at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus Emergency Room, Silvis.
Funeral services celebrating his life were held Tuesday, May 11, at the Colona United Methodist Church. The Rev. Steve Kettlekamp officiated. Burial was in the Dayton Corners Cemetery. Visitation was held Monday, May 10, at Vandemore Funeral Home Ltd., Geneseo.
Memorials may be made to the Colona United Methodist Church.
He was born July 29, 1926, in Hanna Township, Colona, the son of Raymond and Mildred (Kershaw) Heeren. He was a 1944 graduate of Orion High School. He married Marie J. Riggs Dec. 8, 1946, in Orion.
He was a lifelong farmer on the family farm in Colona.
He was a member of Colona United Methodist Church.
He enjoyed fishing as well as gardening.
Survivors include his wife, Marie; two daughters and spouses, Irene and Alex Caras of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Diane and Paul Barber of Storm Lake, Iowa; four grandchildren and spouses, Michaela and Rob Prescott, Troy and Aileen Caras, Josh and Megan Barber and Bri Barber; four great-grandchildren, Luke, Abigail, Catalina and Keaton.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Wayne Heeren.
