Jerome N. Heim of Hoxie, Kansas passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2019 at Hays Medical Center at the age of 88. He was born to William and Marie (Mannebach) Heim, at their home in Leoville, Kansas on September 14, 1930. Jerome grew up and attended school in Leoville. While in school, he enjoyed playing in the band and participating in basketball. During high school he helped his father by working in his store and helping with construction projects. He graduated from the Leoville High School with the Class of 1948. He entered the United States Army and served from July 24, 1952 until May 28, 1954 in the Korean War. He was stationed in Suwon, Korea and held the rank of Sergeant in the 78th Division Anti-Aircraft Artillery Radar Division. Nineteen men were under his command. Jerome served in the Army Reserves until he was honorably discharged on July 23, 1960.
After serving in Korea, Jerome returned home and worked with his father doing construction work and helping to build Highway 24. He decided he did not want to do either of those things the rest of his life and made the decision to go to Denver, Colorado to attend the Television-Radio Repair Institute. Completing his training, Jerome returned home and opened Heim Radio and TV in the Odd Fellow Building in 1956. In 1960, he moved his store to 724 Main Street and, In 1969, he built a new store in the current location. In 1984, he added Heim Auto Sales to his business. From 1972 to 1982, Jerome owned and operated Heim TV and Appliance in Hays, Kansas.
Jerome and Pauline Walden were united in marriage on June 4, 1958 at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Hoxie, Kansas. They celebrated their 60th Anniversary last June. They became the parents of six children, Sue, Nick, Bob, Steve, Alan, and Doug. He was a life-long member of the Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree. He was a member of the Hoxie Lions Club, serving as secretary; the Hoxie Elks Lodge 2415, serving as the 3rd Exalted Ruler; Hoxie Chamber of Commerce; he served on the St. Frances Cabrini Church Building Committee in 1979, served as a Bank Director of Peoples State Bank Rexford, Kansas, and was a member of the Grinnell VFW Post #2864. When asked what his hobbies were, everyone would say “work”; however, he did enjoy attending his grandkids activities, watching them race, and playing cards.
Jerome is survived by his wife, Pauline of the home, Hoxie, Kansas; daughter, Sue Katt and husband Allan of Hoxie, Kansas; sons, Nicholas Heim and wife Beverly of Hoxie, Kansas, Robert Heim of Hoxie, Kansas, Steven Heim and wife Sheila of Hoxie, Kansas, Alan Heim and wife Christy of Hoxie, Kansas, and Douglas Heim of Hoxie, Kansas; brothers, Gerald Heim and wife Helen of Hoxie, Kansas, Joseph Heim and wife Sharron of Carmel, Indiana, Don Heim of Phoenix, Arizona, Bill A. Heim and wife Grace of San Diego, California; sisters, Bonnie Lager and husband Alfred of Hoxie, Kansas and Mary Niblock and husband Don of Hoxie, Kansas; grandchildren, Jared Truetken and wife Andrea, Caitlin Katt, Connor Katt, Ryan Bellew, Misty Stewart and husband Jason, Mathew Heim and wife Brooke, Aaron Heim, Christopher Heim and wife Taylor, Colin Heim, Landon Heim, Abigail Heim, Adam Heim and Makenna Heim; and great-grandchildren Jenna Bondegard, Emily Truetken, Allie Truetken, Brayden Stewart, Kasyn Stewart, Gordon Heim, and Savannah Heim .
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marie Heim; brother, James Heim; sister, Eileen Thompson; sisters-in-law, Jan Heim and Gail Heim, and brother-in-law, Phil Thompson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 22, 2019, 10:30 A.M. at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Hoxie, Kansas. Interment will be immediately following the service in the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home in Hoxie, Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. and on Sunday April 21, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. The Vigil and Rosary Service will be held at 6:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home on Sunday, April 21, 2019. The family suggests memorials to the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church Remodeling Fund or the Sheridan County Amusement Company and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Online condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com
Jerome was a man who loved his Lord Jesus Christ, his family, and life itself. He was a long-time, friendly face on the Main Street of Hoxie, Kansas. Everyone has a “Jerome” story or can speak of the deal he gave them when purchasing a new appliance, T.V., furniture, or car. Family and friends will carry his memory in their hearts for all time to come.