Nickolas Heiter, White River
Nickolas Marcus Heiter, 89, White River, formerly of Farmer, died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Pierre.Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Nickolas Marcus Heiter, 89, White River, formerly of Farmer, died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Pierre.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason Funeral Home, Winner.
He was born on Nov. 5, 1920, to Nicholas J. and Winifred (Krier) Heiter.
He was raised on a farm near Emery and attended St. Martin’s Catholic School in Emery.
He enlisted in the Army Air Force on Oct. 16, 1942, and served with the 224th AAF Base Unit in the Air Offensive Europe GO33 WD 45 campaigns.
He was awarded the Air Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal and Bronze Star.
He reached the rank of staff sergeant and was a waist gunner on a B-24 that was shot down on Jan. 21, 1944, over Calais, France.
He evaded capture for four days, was captured by the German military and taken to Frankfurt for interrogation and then to Dulag Luft in Frankfurt. He was also held at Stalag Luft No. 3, Sagan, Germany; Stalag Luft No. 13D and Stalag 7A, where he was liberated by American Third Army on April 29, 1945.
He was stationed in Japan after World War II and was honorably discharged in 1949.
On Dec. 26, 1947, he married LaVern Teresa McGaa.
In 1949, they moved to the farm near Emery.
They also lived in Rapid City for several years and eventually retired in Farmer.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Peri Strain and husband Mick, White River; four granddaughters, nine great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Deloris O’Daniel and husband Robert; and a brother-in-law, Ed McGaa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Raymond; and four sisters: Elizabeth, Dora, Magdalene and Mary Margaret.
Tags: obituaries, nickolas, white, river
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