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(Thursday - January
21, 2021) - Donald P. Heilala, DPM, retired podiatrist, of Republic,
Michigan, formerly of Iron Mountain, passed away at home on Tuesday,
January 19, Following a lengthy illness in the care of his family and
caregiver.
Dr. Heilala was a podiatrist in private practice in
Iron Mountain and then Kingsford for 34 years. He was on the medical
staff at DCHS for 34 years. Dr. Heilala was also a podiatry consultant
at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center for many years..
Dr.
Heilala was born February 20, 1952, in Marquette to Lorraine (Ringuette)
Heilala and Ralph Heilala. He graduated in 1971 from Republic-Michigamme
High School and then went on to graduate with a B.S. from Northern
Michigan University. He graduated from the Illinois College of Podiatric
Medicine in Chicago, with his DPM in 1983.
Don was a pivotal
member of the Republic-Michigamme High School boys varsity basketball
team with his 3 point shot (back before it was a 3 point shot). Don
enjoyed basketball, downhill skiing, golf, the family dog Max, family
vacations, and going to camp with his friends during hunting season. He
also enjoyed his crew at B & B Tire. He enjoyed his visits with family
in Alaska, especially visiting with his nephew and fellow podiatrist,
Matt.
He was a past member of the Elks, IMK Rotary, Pine Grove
Country Club, and the Chippewa Club locally. He was a member of the
Michigan Podiatric Medical Association, the American Podiatric Medical
Association, and was board certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery by the
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He was also past president
of the UP Chapter of the Michigan Podiatric Medical Association.
Dr. Heilala is survived by his wife of 42 and 1/2 years Patti
(Petersen). They were married at St. Francis Xavior Church in Spalding,
Michigan. He is further survived by his three sons: Andrew Heilala of
Austin Texas; Dr. Adam (Lindsey) Heilala of Columbus, Ohio; and Alex
Heilala of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is survived by his brothers, James
(Myrna) Heilala of Sun City West, Arizona, and Robert (Barbara) Heilala
of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is also survived by his mother-in-law,
Anne Petersen; his aunt and uncle, Dolores and Robert Poag;
sisters-in-law, Beth (Brian) Waitrovich, Susan (Mark) Lemke, Ruth
(Terry) Szapa, Anne (Jeff) Heino and brothers-in-law, W. Mark (Denice)
Petersen and Nick (Lisa) Petersen; as well as numerous cousins, nieces
and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and
Lorraine Heilala; father-in-law, Walter Petersen; brother-in-law, Leo
Vish and his beloved dog, Max.
Special thank you to his
physician and best friend Michael Saigh, MD, the Emergency department,
the hospitalists, the ICU nurses and Radiation Oncology at Dickinson
County Hospital who were so good to him.
A Catholic Mass and
Celebration of Life will be held for Dr. Heilala in late spring or early
summer.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of Dr. Donald
Paul Heilala online at:
www.ernashfuneralhomes.com
The family has entrusted the
Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.
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