Phil Heinlen

Phil R. Heinlen, 72, of Rockwell City, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Trinity Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services are planned for 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 8, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rockwell City, Iowa where Pastor Denise Burns will be officiating. A private family burial will be held locally at Rosehill Cemetery. A visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Laufersweiler's Palmer and Swank Funeral Home, Rockwell City.

Phil is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Jane, children Krista Upson of Council Bluffs, and Steven Heinlen (Dawn) of Rockwell City. He was a doting "Bumpa" to grandchildren Elizabeth "Ellie" Casey, Brody Upson, Kolbe Upson, and Aubrey Heinlen. He is also survived by his siblings Carol Collins and Dennis Heinlen, both of Rockwell City, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents E.M. "Bud" and Luella "Rene" (Yeager) Heinlen, sisters Delores "Dee" Harman and Peggy "Peg" Hildreth, and an infant brother Denis Ray Heinlen.

Phil Ray Heinlen was born February 12, 1952, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Rockwell City and graduated from Rockwell City High School in 1970. He attended Iowa Central Community College, transferring on to Mankato State College, where he was an active member in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. On June 14, 1975, he was united in marriage to Jane Danielson and the couple made their lifelong home in Rockwell City.

Phil dedicated his 35 year career to the Iowa Department of Transportation, where he was the area supervisor for Carroll, Sac, and Calhoun Counties. Phil served for two years as a Council member for Rockwell City before being elected as Mayor in 2000, where he was serving in his 24th year. Phil was a member of the Rockwell City Revitalization Committee and the St. Paul Lutheran Church. In 2021, Phil proudly accepted the Rotary Citizen of the Year award for Rockwell City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the family for a future scholarship in Phil's memory.