Daniel Paul Heddinger

Daniel Paul Heddinger, 72, loving husband and father passed away Thursday, August 6, 2026.

He is survived by his wife Lorri (Guidice) of 42 years; daughter Danielle C. (James) Doty; son Jared Paul (Emily Roberts) Heddinger; sister Denise VanSickle; brother-in-law Gregory (Therese) Guidice; sister-in-law Catherine Guidice and nieces and nephews, Michael, Darcy, Frank and Carly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Mary Jean (Baldwin) Heddinger; his mother and father-in-law, Frank and Dorothy Guidice; brother and sister-in-law Robert and Jodi Farleigh.

Dan was born in Rock Island, Illinois on November 8, 1953 and graduated from Assumption High School in Davenport, Iowa in 1972. He joined the United States Navy and toured the Mediterranean on the USS Shreveport. He served as the ship’s journalist and kept many notes on his three-year journey. Encouraged by his kids, he used the notes to write a book titled: A Boot Recruit to an Able Seaman.

After the Navy, Dan entered the restaurant business where he was a manager for 40+ years. The most recent was at the Big Boy in Battle Creek, where he made many friends of employees and patrons still to this day. Dan was a big fan of sports, but his favorite team was always the St. Louis Cardinals. Dan was also an Exalted Ruler for the Elks in Ludington, Michigan.

As a last act of generosity, Dan donated his eyes to someone in need. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan’s memory may be directed to Disabled American Veterans (dav.org). A celebration of life will be held at 12:00 p.m. at St. Philip Parish Center on Friday, October 16. Dan will be inurned at Fort Custer with military honors at 9:30 a.m. Personal messages may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.