John Joseph Heffernan Jr.

Sioux City - The Rev. Mr. John J. Heffernan, Jr., 88, of Sioux City died peacefully on Jan. 25, 2013 at a local care facility.
Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with the Most Reverend Walker R. Nickless, Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, officiating, assisted by the priests and deacons of the parishes. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military rites. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m., a rosary at 6 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Larkin Chapel Christy Smith Funeral Home.
John was born on Dec. 4, 1924, in Milbank, S.D., the son of John and Joan (Stapelton) Heffernan. He grew up in Marvin, S.D., and graduated from South Dakota State University. He owned and operated Hayes Order Buyers. John served in World War II as a corporal with the 411th Infantry. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
John married Sylvia "Happy" Frances Tritz on Nov. 7 1953. Seven children were born to this marriage. John was ordained a deacon in the Diocese of Sioux City in 1977. He served as a deacon at Blessed Sacrament until his retirement in 1996.
John is survived by his wife, Happy; his children, Joe, Mary Pat (Scott) Hall, Mark, Dan (Maureen), Mike (Sharon), Sylvia (Tom) Amlie and Katie (Bob) Duax; 21 grandchildren, John and Alexis Heffernan, Nathan and Jason Hall, Adam, Lucas, Louise, and Madeline Ruth Heffernan, Elizabeth, Michael and Kathryn Heffernan, Myka and Mackenzie Heffernan, Tommy, Sylvia and Danny Amlie, and Robert, Connor, Lucas, Maxwell and Michael Duax; his sister, Mary Just; brother, Bernard (Norma) Heffernan; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Monica Gobel; and his brothers-in-law, John Just and Giles Gobel.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
Memorials may be made in his name to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, the Sioux City Carmelite Monastery, Hospice of Siouxland or Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools.