SPARTA - Donald F. Heilman, 94 of Sparta, went to his Heavenly Home on July 29, 2026. He was born on May 7, 1932, to Maurice and Celia Heilman in Sparta, WI. He grew up in rural Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 1950.
Donald married Donna (Axelsen) Kolbo on May 3, 1968; and together raised six children. They loved camping, boating, fishing, and family gatherings. Don also enjoyed bowling, horseshoes, and compiling years of family genealogy dating back to the 1600’s. He was an avid Packers, Cubs, and Brewers fan.
Don attended DeVry University and received a degree in TV and Radio repair. He owned and operated his own television repair business for many years. In 1967, he began working at Northern Engraving as an electronics technician and worked there for 37 years, until his retirement. He took great pride in his work and often shared stories about his work adventures. Don was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, serving many years as an usher. Don was deeply devoted to his Catholic Faith, and it was clearly evident in the way he chose to live his life and raise his children. He was an inspiration to all who knew him.
Don is survived by his children, Barbara Burnham (Don Hemmersbach), David (Pauline) Kolbo, Scott Kolbo (Beth Helgesen), Don (Christa) Heilman, Laurie (Gary) Leis; his grandchildren, Christy (Cole) Storandt, Jill (Jake) Iverson, Garrett Burnham, Ryan Kolbo, Stacey (Nathan) Zwiefel, Daniel Kolbo (Heidi Helgren), Kortny (Travis) Cunningham, Cheyann Kolbo, Brittany (Alex) Parsons, Brandon Heilman, Brent Heilman (Rae Fuchsel), Ashley (Mike) Harrison, Jeremy Leis (Michelle McGuire), Stephanie (Dillan)
Klinkner, Cody Leis; his great-grandchildren, Domenic (Samantha) Storandt, Ethan Storandt, Reese Iverson, Braun Iverson, Kayana Zwiefel, Camren Zwiefel, Olivia Kolbo, Remi Casares, Josselyn Kolbo, Jedrick Becerra, Travis Cunningham, Jr., Leah Klinkner, Dana Klinkner, Jacob Klinkner, Brady Klinkner, Luke Klinkner, Hudson Klinkner; and his great-great grandchildren, Hallie Storandt, Charley Storandt.
Don is also survived by his brother, Doug (Judy) Heilman; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Karen Travis (Mark Galetka), Larry (Karen) Axelsen, Chuck (Kathy) Axelsen, Sheryl (Larry) Lakowske; special cousin, Jan Cunitz; and dearest friend Duane Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife Donna; son, Jerry Kolbo; parents, Maurice and Celia Heilman; brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Betty Heilman; son-in-law, Alan Burnham; and grandson, Shawn Kolbo.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Morrow Home Community and St. Croix Hospice for their exceptional care. Their kindness and compassion for him could be felt daily and meant so much to all of us.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sparta. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow at the church.
A Rosary will be held at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, in Sparta. Visitation will be from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home, and from 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Wednesday at the church.
Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
