Ardith Joyce (Niebuhr) Heuton passed away Friday, February 16, 2024. Ardith was born to Harry John and Mabel Bernice (Munsterman) Niebuhr on October 2, 1939 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital, Watseka, IL, baptized on November 5, 1939 and confirmed on March 29, 1953 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Milford (Woodworth) IL. She married the love of her life, Roland Heuton on October 10, 1959. Their marriage was blessed with one son, Bruce.
She is survived by her husband, Roland Henry Heuton, twin sister, Arleen (Gordon) Bohlmann, Fishersville, VA; nephews, Allen (Joy) Niebuhr of Crescent City, IL and Rev. Timothy (Sue) Bohlmann of Staunton, VA; niece, Dr. Rachel Bohlmann of South Bend, IN; great nephews and nieces, Brent (Jody) Niebuhr of Crescent City, IL, Brock (Wendy) Niebuhr of Loda, IL, Elizabeth (Josh) Hackman, Staunton, VA, Anna (Eric) Crider, Staunton, VA, Samuel Bohlmann of Staunton, VA; and Godchild, Natalie Schroeder of Watseka.
She was predeceased by her son, Bruce Henry Heuton; her parents, Harry and Mabel (Munsterman) Niebuhr; husband's parents, Henry and Dorothy Heuton; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Velma Niebuhr.
Ardith graduated from Crescent-Iroquois High School in 1957. She was employed immediately upon graduation at Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan Association in Watseka, IL and retired January 31, 2004 having worked in all departments, focusing on lending and compliance. She dedicated her career to Iroquois Federal. She held many supervisory positions and upon her retirement, she was Senior Vice President-Corporate Secretary, Compliance and Loan Manager. Ardith was elected to the Board of Directors at Iroquois Federal on January 16, 2002 and retired from the board November 12, 2012.
Ardith was active in the community and church. She was especially proud being honored to be the first female elected President of the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce and served two terms on the Chamber Board, first female chairman of St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Crescent City, IL, and also served as Treasurer for 2 years and the first female elected to the Board of Directors of Iroquois Federal.
Ardith was also active in the IMH Development Council and served as Co-Chair along with her husband, Roland, board member of Sugar Creek Symphony and Song, The American Cancer Society of Relay for Life of Iroquois County, and served as Treasurer and Chair of the Survivors committee, and volunteered as receptionist at IMH Lab. In 2023, she and Roland received the Watseka Times Republic Lifetime Achievement Award, in appreciation of their lifetime commitment to the Watseka Community and its people.
Ardith dedicated her life to her husband, Roland and son, Bruce being active and supporting her community and her employer, Iroquois Federal.
Ardith and Roland enjoyed traveling, having been fortunate to travel to Niagara Falls (honeymoon), Alaskan Inside Passage Cruise, Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Rhine River Cruise, which included Amsterdam, the Passion Play 2010 Oberammergau, Switzerland, Cuba (the first year it was opened up to the United States), Alaska by land, African Safari, Canadian Rockies, Northwestern National Parks, Eastern fall tour, Portugal-The Douro River Valley, and Barcelona, Spain.
Ardith and Roland also enjoyed attending grade and high school basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, football, Illini Volleyball, attending theatre productions, riding bicycle (having ridden 100 miles in Iroquois County in one day), walking, and playing cards with friends.
Funeral service will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Crescent City, IL on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Joel Brown and Rev. Timothy Bohlmann officiating. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery in Crescent City.
Visitation at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka, IL on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church in Crescent City, Iroquois Memorial Hospital (IMH) in Watseka or Unit 9 Academic Foundation, Watseka, IL.
Please share a memory of Ardith at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.
