Richard L. Heitz, 81, of Farley, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Accura HealthCare in Cascade, Iowa.

Visitation for Richard will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m.  Visitation will also be held after 9 a.m. on the Saturday at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial for Richard will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Farley, Iowa, with Rev. Michael Schueller presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Farley, Iowa.

Richard was born on May 24, 1943, in Farley, Iowa, son of Ray and Frances (Zalaznik) Heitz. He graduated from St. Joseph's Catholic High School in 1961.

He joined New Melleray Trappist Monastery near Peosta, entering a life of prayer and work as Brother Bonaventure, OCSO. After leaving the order, he maintained an ongoing relationship with the monastery and the monks and remained a devout Catholic throughout his life.

Richard worked at John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works for 33 years retiring in 1998 and he farmed near Farley for 50 years with his brother Matt.  He was a veteran having served in the United States Army Reserve in the 1960s.

Those left to cherish Richard's memory are his two brothers, Matt (Marna) Heitz of Farley, Dr. Julian (Ursula) Heitz of Nashville, TN; sister, Dianna (Tom) Kirkwood of Dyersville; two sisters-in-law, Wanda Heitz of Aurora, and Kay Heitz of Farley.

He is also survived by his nieces and nephews:  Marie (Lowell) Ware, Kevin (Desiree) Heitz,

Alan (Helen) Heitz, Terry (Tracy) Heitz, Cindy (Curt) Gentz and Nathan (Sara) Heitz; Brian (Cori) Dahmen and Barry (Kacey) Dahmen; Eric (Ann) Heitz, Byron (Kate) Heitz, Kamel Heitz and Clayton (Katie) Heitz; Shona Roeder, Kory (Kurt) Schlawin, Nicole Kirkwood and Kearn (Sarah Trapp) Kirkwood; Joe Heitz and Julia Heitz; Kevin Easterday, Theresa Heitz and Hannah (Julian Mackrel) Heitz.  He is also survived by many great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Gene Heitz and Elmer Heitz; and one sister, Carol (Gary) Dahmen.

The Heitz family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Riverbend Assisted Living, Accura HealthCare, Hospice of Dubuque especially Kris O. and Dr. Cheryl Morgan-Ihrig and the staff at MercyOne Cancer Center for all the wonderful care and support they gave to Richard. The family also wishes to thank the Epworth Fire Department and Cascade Emergency Medical Services for their outstanding service.

In lieu of flowers a Richard L. Heitz memorial fund has been established.

A Video Tribute may be viewed, and online condolences may be given to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com