James L. Heitkamp, 78, of Piqua, passed away at 10:11 pm Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Ohio's Hospice of Miami County Inpatient Unit of Upper Valley Medical Center.

He was born March 29, 1940 in Minster to the late Roman B. and Elanora (Schemmel) Heitkamp. He married Barbara F. Fergus on June 19, 1971 in Piqua; she precedes him in death on June 10, 2018.

Survivors include one brother Bob, (Charlene) Heitkamp of Maria Stein; one sister, Janet Stevens of Lompoc, California; one sister in law, Rosemary Heitkamp of New Bremen; and many other nieces, nephews, friends and family members.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, Albert, and Joseph; two sisters, Mildred Heitkamp and Rogene Brown; and two brothers-in-law, Tom Stevens and Russell Brown.

Mr. Heitkamp was a 1958 graduate of Marion Local High School. He also proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era. He was a former resident of Cassella. He worked for Huffy's Bicycles in Celina, for Emerson Electric, and thoroughly enjoyed working with the Piqua VFW, Fraternal Order of Eagles-Piqua, and supporting Anheuser-Busch.

Mr. Heitkamp enjoyed attending sprint car races with his wife and friends and attending functions of the VFW #4874, American Legion #184, and F.O.E., being known by many as "Hooch" or "Molly".

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am, Friday, February 1, 2019 at St. Boniface Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Daniel P. Hunt as the Celebrant. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery where full military honors will be provided by the Veterans Elite Tribute Squad.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm Thursday at the Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to donors charity of choice.

Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com.