Bernard "Bernie" E. Heffernan

Bernard Eugene Heffernan, 90, of Rockford, Illinois passed away October 29, 2017.

Bernie was born on August 6, 1927, in Milbank, S.D., the son of John and Joan (Stapleton) Heffernan. He grew up in Marvin, S.D., and graduated from South Dakota State University. He worked for the FDA as a dairy plant inspector and as a manager for Pet Milk Company. In 1963, Bernie changed careers to work as an editor at Watt Publishing Company in Mt. Morris, Illinois for thirty-six years. Bernie was also a veteran of the United States Navy.
He loved his retirement and spending time at the family cabin in northern Wisconsin and traveling to many interesting domestic and foreign destinations. A voracious reader, he spent much of his free time reading and staying current on world politics, ever ready to share his outlook and perspective. Bernie and his wife, Norma, have been members of Holy Family Church for many years.

In 2002, Bernie received the South Dakota State University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement in Agricultural Journalism.

Bernie married his bride of 66 years, Norma Jean Leibbert on January 3, 1951. In addition to Norma, he is survived by their four children: Thomas (Maria), James (Joanne), Rosemary (David) Banach, and Patrick; and six grandchildren: Thomas Heffernan; Colleen LaRowe and Thomas Heffernan; Rebecca, John, and Bernadette Banach. He is also survived by sister-in-law Sylvia “Happy” Heffernan.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John Heffernan; his sisters, Mary Ellen Just and Monica Gobel; and brothers-in-law John Just and Giles Gobel.

Visitation will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Rockford, Illinois on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at 9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.