Susan Diane Heaberlin entered eternal rest on September 24, 2026. She was born on January 10, 1967 in Des Moines, Iowa to Larry and Karen Heaberlin. She was welcomed home by her sister, Rhonda. Three years later, Rhonda and Susan welcomed their baby sister, Beth. Susan grew up on a farm south of Pleasantville. She loved picking flowers, especially daisies; chasing butterflies; and exploring the hay mow looking for kittens.

Susan had a lifelong love of music. She had a beautiful alto voice and she sang whenever she had the chance. Susan participated in the Bill Riley talent show at the county fair and also sang in talent shows during various community celebrations. She received an associate of arts degree in music from Iowa Western Community College. She has written a few songs, one of which she has requested for her funeral.

Susan loved her family. She enjoyed spending time with the little children and learning about what they loved. Seeing the world through their eyes was one of her greatest joys. She was famous for showing up a little late to most family gatherings, but she was also the last one to leave. Susan knew that time with her family was precious and she made sure to make the most of it.

Susan was a woman of faith. She gave her heart to Jesus and talked about his love for her daily. There was never a time that she doubted his love for her and she knew there is a special place in heaven for her. Many of the items that she saved over the years were tied to her time with the church. Susan lived her life showing kindness and love to everyone she met. She truly believed in living her life as Jesus would do.

One of the things that Susan enjoyed above almost anything else, was giving. She enjoyed giving healthy snacks to the youth sports teams. At Christmas time, she was always excited to give gifts to those she loved. She didn’t have a lot of money to spend but she took the time to find the perfect gift for each person. Their joy was her joy. She also gave the gift of her time. When someone was having a rough time, she always managed to listen and offer comfort. She had a heart of gold.

Susan was a funny girl. She didn’t realize how funny she could be. Many times, as she visited with her sisters, she would come up with some hilarious one liners. The funniest part was how she never really knew how funny she really was. She was very much like her Grandma Fisher in that respect.

After her parents were gone, Susan’s health declined dramatically. She moved in with her younger sister, Beth in 2025. Rhonda joined later that year. She made the brave decision to enter hospice in late September, 2026. Her sisters were not ready, but she knew her body couldn’t go on.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Larry and Karen; two nephews, David Alan and Jeremy; niece Stacy; her maternal and paternal grandparents Faye and Paul and Jim and LaVaughn.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sisters, Rhonda and Beth (Jeff); nieces and nephew, Denise, Jessica and Michael (Jayde), 8 great nieces, 3 great nephews, 3 great-great nephews and 1 great-great niece; Uncle Steven & Aunt Joanne, and Uncle Richard and her second father, Wendell, many friends and other relatives.

Memorials can be sent to the Pleasantville Youth Initiative or given to the family for Christmas time gifts for less fortunate members of the community. Since giving gifts was her favorite thing to do, we feel spreading Christmas joy would be a perfect way to honor her memory.