Heulah (Dickey) Kiser

Heulah Roseland Dickey Kiser left this life on Sunday, October 20, 2013, not longafter celebrating her 102nd birthday. Born on October 3, 1911, she enjoyed heryouth on a farm near Chatham, Illinois, with parents Judith and William Dickey,seven sisters, and two brothers. All have preceded her in death except for RuthBranham of Springfield, Illinois, her youngest sister.Heulahattended Ball Township High School, graduating in 1930. She entered the nursingprogram at Springfield Memorial Hospital and earned her RN degree in 1933. Sheworked mainly as a private nurse and in 1937 married John Elerick Kiser ofSpringfield who was an engineering student at the School of Mines at Rolla,Missouri. They moved to Bonne Terre, Missouri when he was employed by St. JosephLead Company. It was here where they spent their married lives and raised twodaughters.In1942, Suzanne was born and, in 1946, Sally Jane. Suzanne Kiser Weakly lives inStory, WY, and Jane Kiser resides in Sacramento, CA. Heulah had threegranddaughters and five great-grandchildren whom she adored.Duringher years as a wife and mother, Heulah, who was nicknamed "Dickey", involvedherself with her girls activities, as well as civic and political activities.She was active in PTA, led a Girl Scout troop, and taught sewing in 4-H. Shetaught Sunday School at the First Congregational Church in Bonne Terre andworked in the Ladies Missionary Society. She was a precinct committeewoman forthe Republican Party for many years. She was an elementary school nurse for ashort time, but, for the most part, devoted her life to her home, family, andcommunity.Dickeylost John at age 70 but continued to live independently in their Victorian homein Bonne Terre until her mid 90s. She enjoyed world travel with friends,golfing, working with a local historical restoration group, and gardening, herfavorite hobby. Afterleaving her Bonne Terre home, Dickey lived in both Story, Wyoming andSacramento, California. She spent the final years in Sheridan, WY where she waswell liked. She was deeply loved and is greatly missed by her family. A memorial service will be held atthe First Congregational United Church of Christ in Bonne Terre on Saturday,May 31, at 11 AM. The interment will immediately follow at the Bonne TerreCemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for lunch at the churchafterward at 1:00 PM.