Helen Heitman

Helen Isabel Gover Heitman, 87 of Bellaire, died peacefully, Tues. Nov. 12, 2013 at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center - Long Term Care. She was born Apr. 9, 1926, in Mt. Pleasant, the daughter of Noel David (ND) and Lura Gover. Helen graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1943, and from Michigan State in 1947. She was an avid journalist who traveled to New York and wrote for the McCall magazine as a young graduate. She later continued her love of journalism by writing and editing for the Daily Times News, and Kalamazoo Gazette. On Aug. 27th, 1949, in Mt. Pleasant at the 1st United Methodist Church, she married Eric C. Heitman. They settled in Mt. Pleasant to raise their family. She was active with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and taught UMC Sunday school for several years. She made many wonderful friends bowling, golfing, and playing bridge. She supported her family's many activities in the community, besides her own. Helen returned to Central Michigan University in 1967 and earned a Masters of Arts in Education. She went to work full time as a teacher in the Beal City Public School system from 1968 - 1990. Upon retirement, Eric and Helen moved to Antrim County in 1994. Their red cabin at Comfort Corners became their home. Helen was a substitute teacher in the Mancelona and Bellaire communities for many years. She became a very active member of the Bellaire UMC, teaching Sunday school, coordinating funeral luncheons, participating in vacation bible school, hosting coffee and breakfast hours, working on the Baby and food pantry, and was Wacky Wednesday coordinator. Helen enjoyed bowling, scrabble, bridge, and golfing at Centennial Farms. She enjoyed hard work with family, logging cedar trees, pealing the bark to create natural cedar poles. Helen was the Chairperson for the annual Bellaire Library Book Sale, and wrote a column for the Antrim Senior News called "Cabbage and Kings". She planned every family birthday party and Christmas holiday, turning them into great events, with games, food, and presents. Surviving Helen is her husband Eric of 64 years, children William (Janice) Heitman of Plymouth Twp., Robert (Jeannine) Heitman of Oakhurst, CA, Scott Heitman of Clawson, daughter-in-law Patricia Heitman, of Mt. Pleasant, brother David (Mary) Gover of Surfside Beach, SC, grandchildren Jennifer, Travis, Michael, Patrick, Katie Bair (Jodon Bellofatto), Eric C., great grandson Tristan Bellofatto. Meeting her in heaven are sons Stephen and John, brothers William, Dwight, Kerswell, Stanley, Robert, sister Mary, and her parents. A memorial service will be held Sat. Nov. 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Bellaire United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Michigan Humane Society or the Bellaire District Library. Arrangements have been handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.