Robert Heasley

Robert (Rob) Baker Heasley passed away on March 12, 2025, at the age of 78 at Rose Arbor surrounded by his family. Rob was born in Holland, Michigan on December 23, 1946, to the late Robert L. and June (Baker) Heasley. Rob leaves a legacy of profound kindness, wisdom, sense of humor, contagious smile, and love for his family, friends and community. The Heasley family moved to Parchment when Rob was just 5 years old, and he never left the town that he loved and served for over 70 years. A graduate of Parchment High School in 1965, he went on to Western Michigan University to receive a degree in Political Science. Immediately after graduating from WMU, Rob was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky and then sent to the Army Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany where he finished out his service. Upon returning to Parchment in 1972, Rob was hired by the Upjohn Company as a janitor. Over his 32 years of service to Upjohn, Pharmacia and Pfizer, Rob worked his way up to chemical operator and eventually became a member of the KAPI training team. When not working Rob enjoyed golfing, having earned TWO Holes in one, repairing golf clubs for his friends, working in his yard, fixing things around the house, following the Formula 1 racing circuit, reading, buying and selling many cars, and listening to music. Time spent with Rob’s buddies and especially his family were very important to him. Rob was a dedicated husband to his high school sweetheart, Karen Dekker Heasley, having celebrated almost 58 years of marriage. He was a loving father to his two sons Jon (Julie) and Alan, Amie and the best Boppa ever to his grandchildren Sydney (Mark) Brown, Mackay (Brent) Wickenheiser, and Ava Heasley. Becoming a great grandparent to Abram and Wren Wickenheiser was even more special. Rob shared his love with Teemu Joutsi, our 1985 foreign exchange student from Finland and his family. Also surviving are Rob’s brother Charles (Lorraine), sister-in-law, Kathie Dekker and his niece, Peggy Brewer, nephews Rich Dekker and Colin Heasley, and cousin Lisa Torrey. Rob was preceded in passing by his parents, Robert L. and June Heasley, in-laws, Henry and Betty Dekker and brother-in-law Bill Dekker. The biggest legacy Rob shares is his love for the City of Parchment. In 2019, Rob was honored with the presentation of a Special Tribute from the State of Michigan presented to him by State Senator Sean McCann. A quote from that Tribute reads “In November of 1979, Rob Heasley, a lifelong Parchment resident began his service to the Parchment City Commission, to which he dedicated himself for 38 of the last 40 years. In 2007, he commenced his decade-long tenure as Mayor of The City of Parchment leading the City Commission with a drive for success. Throughout his public service, Rob Heasley has led and served in other ways: As a member of the Kindleberger Arts Commission, and a trustee of the Parchment Community Library for 33 years…” He was inducted into the Parchment High School Hall of Fame in 2016. Rob spearheaded the committee to raise funds and build a Veterans Memorial in Parchment. That memorial was dedicated in 2024 on the lawn adjacent to Parchment City Hall. A special THANK YOU to the entire staff at Rose Arbor for their excellent care of Rob during his stay there. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr., Parchment, Mi 49004 in Rob’s honor. The burial will take place later at Fort Custer National Cemetery. A celebration for Rob will be held at The Fountains, 535 S. Riverview Dr. Parchment, Mi 49004 on April 19, 2025, from 2-5 with a time to share your memories of time spent with Rob at 3:00.

While visiting Rob’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand St. in Schoolcraft. 269 679-5622