Dr. James Robert Heersma, 87, died Monday March 19th, 2012, in Marshfield Wisconsin at St. Joseph's Hospital after an extended illness. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 31st at 11 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church of Muscoda with Pastor Roger Koester and Pastor Ramona Orton officiating. Friends are welcome for a brief visitation at 10am on Saturday before the service and also, Friday March 30th, 2012, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church. The Godager-Pratt Funeral Home of Muscoda is assisting the family with arrangements. Dr. Heersma was born on June 9th, 1924, in Chicago, son of Harry and Sue Heersma. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his eldest son Richard, and his three siblings Gerald, Sidney, and Mabel. Dr. Heersma is survived by three children, Virginia 'Gini' Heersma Covert and husband, William of Blue River, Thomas Heersma and wife, Connie of Auburndale, and Laura Heersma Mays and husband, Rolland of Mt Vernon. He is also survived by his sister Ruth Polk of Phoenix, AZ. He has 11 grandchildren- Eli, Leanna and Lucia Covert, Melissa Leaman-Hentgen, Slade, Laish, Zev, Ren and Rolt Heersma, and Stephanie Wright and Talia Mays. He has seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. In the last days of his life, he received comfort and companionship from Irene Johnson, a friend of over 50 years. Jim grew up on a fifteen acre truck farm in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He attended undergraduate college in Hope Michigan and went on to obtain a masters and M.D. at Northwestern University. He completed his residency at St. Lukes Hospital in Chicago and became certified by the Board of American Pediatric Association. Shortly thereafter, he was called to serve in the Korean War as a naval officer and a medic. During that conflict, he earned the Silver Star for bravery. After returning from Korea, Dr. Heersma practiced Pediatrics for 17 years at the Marshfield, WI Clinic where he developed the immunization program, was City Health Officer, president of the Community Chest and president of the school board. James raised four children with Dorothy Arlene Hawkins, his wife of 63 years, on a farm in Marshfield. In 1970, he moved to Mt Vernon, Illinois where he practiced pediatrics and was an assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Heersma moved to Blue River, WI in 1980, to retire and was coaxed into general practice in Muscoda, WI. Both Jim and Dorothy, who worked alongside him as the office medical technologist, retired in 1990. After retirement, he continued to work for many years with Wisconsin Coalition for the Aging (CWAG). In 2000 he assisted in opening a free clinic in Boscobel Wisconsin. In addition to being an honor to his profession, Dr. Heersma enjoyed many hobbies. He was an avid organic gardener and enjoyed sharing his harvest. Jim also sang bass in the church choir, a barbershop quartet, the Loren Choir and in the Muscoda Community Choir. Other hobbies included fishing, bridge, and reading. Jim touched many lives during his education, military service, professional career, and through his hobbies. He will be greatly missed. Visitation: United Presbyterian Church of Muscoda 402 North 2nd Street Muscoda, WI 53573 Visitation: United Presbyterian Church of Muscoda 402 North 2nd Street Muscoda, WI 53573 Service: United Presbyterian Church of Muscoda 402 North 2nd Street Muscoda, WI 53573