Mearl W. Heitmann, age 91 of Williamsburg, formerly of Victor, died Friday, January 19, 2007 at the Marengo Memorial Hospital following an extended illness. Funeral Services: 10:00 A.M. Monday, January 22, 2007 at Trinity United Church of Christ, rural Marengo with Rev. Lynne Bisson officiating. Burial will be in Genoa Bluff Cemetery, rural Ladora. Friends may call from 3 to 7 P.M. Sunday, January 21, 2007 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. Memorials may be contributed to the Hospice of Iowa City, the American Cancer Society or the Trinity United Church of Christ Building Fund.

She is survived by two sons, Russell Heitmann (Susan) of Williamsburg and David Heitmann (Karen) of Victor; three daughters, Donna Poncius (Juris) of Tucson, AZ, Kathryn Heitmann of Williamsburg, and Teresa Birdwell (Dennis) of Iowa Falls. In addition she is survived by nine grandchildren, Michael Heitmann (Colleen) of Williamsburg, Nancy Jacoby (Colby) of Williamsburg, Rachel Cunningham (Michael) of LeMars, Sean Heitmann (Megan) of Marshalltown, Damen Heitmann of New Brighton, MN, Karlena Leal (Alfredo) of Tucson, AZ, Alexandra Poncius of Tucson, AZ, Steven Birdwell (Janette) of Altoona, and Gary Birdwell (Katie) of Urbandale; and eleven great-grandchildren, Kristin and Matthew Heitmann, Ethan and Kayte Jacoby, Kathrynn and Karina Cunningham, Abigail, Jackson and Jensen Birdwell, and Emma and Josie Birdwell.

Mearl was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harry, a son Kenneth who died in the Vietnam Conflict on March 25, 1970, a brother Harvey, and two sisters, Esther Blomme and Estella Meyer.

Mearl Wilhelmina Van Hamme was born April 22, 1915 in Lincoln Township, Iowa County, Iowa, the daughter of Theo and Dora Schmidt Van Hamme. She received her education in the Victor schools and graduated from Victor High School in 1932. Mearl married Harry Heitmann on January 8, 1936 in Victor, Iowa. She was a homemaker, wife and mother.

Mearl enjoyed baking, crochet work, music, piano and organ, and writing daily in her diary. She was a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sunshine Circle.