Marion Gene Heaviland (White)

Marion Gene Heaviland, 86, of Independence, MO, passed away Friday, April 24th, 2015. An Iowa native, born 7 August 1928 as one of three daughters to Kay O. and Myrtle Belle (Miles) White. The family struggled through the Great Depression and they eventually became established on a livestock farm where her father raised pigs and chickens in Lamoni, IA. There she met and married Russell Lee Heaviland, a Detroit, MI, native, on February 25th, 1950 and together they raised three children. After moving from Iowa to Michigan and back again they eventually accepted an offer to move to Independence, where they ran a dairy operation on an RLDS-owned farm. As life long church members they helped establish the Beacon Heights Church in the early 1970s. Both Marion and Lee were ordained in the church; she as teacher. Together, they participated in Marriage enrichment and she also participated in the Women’s Auxiliary and volunteered at The Groves. She enjoyed working as a baker at the Cinnamon Stick as well as Dunkin Donuts, creating her famous donuts and cinnamon rolls, sewing clothing, cross stitch, and was an avid green thumb and natural oil painter. Her family remembers her as social, warm, caring, and a woman of strong opinions with an even stronger heart for family and friends.
Marion is survived by her three children, Ron Heaviland of Independence, MO; Deborah Pickens and husband Robert of Farnham, UK; and Richard Heaviland and wife Kathy of North Kansas City, MO; sisters, Joyce Tracy of Minneapolis, MN; and Doris McElroy and husband Bill of Lamoni, IA; brothers, Jerry White and wife Marlene of Des Moines, IA; and Eugene White and wife Marilyn of Lamoni, IA; grandchildren Michael, Robert “Beau,” Ross, Miles, Tiffany, and Danielle; twin great granddaughters Taylor and Kali; great grandchildren Quinn, Brooks, Kaylin, MaKenna, Krystalin, Eric, and Hunter; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lee, in 2007. The family encourages contributions to the Great Plains SPCA, Independence Campus, in her memory. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, May 1st 2015 at Speaks Suburban Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 2nd at the chapel. Entombment will be at Mound Grove Mausoleum, Independence, MO. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)