Shirley L. Heger

Shirley LaVon (Dicus) (Geis) Heger, 90, of Greensburg, passed away on October 18, 2026, at Arbor Grove.

Born on August 16, 1936, Shirley was the daughter of James Charles Dicus and Velma Blanch (Flint) Dicus. She was the youngest of seven children and graduated from New Marion High School in 1954, where she was a cheerleader.

Shirley married Alfred F. Geis on March 2, 1957, and together they had seven children before his untimely passing on April 26, 1969. She later married Robert A. Heger on December 26, 1972, and they shared a daughter before his passing on March 31, 2000. Both of her husbands proudly served as veterans.

Shirley worked at Kmart for 19 years before retiring. During her retirement, she continued working at September Place, where she became known as the “fix-it lady” and was always ready to lend a helping hand.

A woman of many talents, Shirley enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, farming, and tackling do-it-yourself projects long before the internet made finding help easy. While working at Kmart, she even sewed her own costumes for Halloween. She was a strong tower for her family, always planning holidays and get-togethers and making sure everyone had a place to gather.

Shirley loved to travel and especially enjoyed spring trips to Florida to visit her mother and watch her children participate in track and field. Summers were filled with softball and baseball games, coaching, and camping, while fall brought trips to Brown County for the changing leaves, volleyball, and football. Winter meant basketball season, and if she wasn't watching her children play, she could often be found cheering on IU and Purdue basketball from home.

Her love for her family never faded as the years went by. She was there for the births of grandchildren, celebrated birthdays, sporting events, school programs, attended graduations, and helped her growing family in any way she could. Her home was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay, and she was known for welcoming others with open arms. Shirley was also a proud member of the Red Hat Society and adored her beloved dog, Deedee.

Shirley believed in getting up, shaking it off, and keep going mentality because life doesn't stop. She passed that determination on to her children, and her greatest gift to her family and friends was the love and laughter she shared with them.

Shirley will be deeply missed by her children, Joe (Susan) Geis of Greensburg, Susan Fixmer of Greensburg, Donna (Hank) Carson of Heltonville, Mary Ann Geis of Greensburg, Karen (Reuben) Lomax of Columbus, and Debra (Brett) Burton of Greensburg; her daughters-in-law, Karen Jones of Indianapolis and Michelle Geis of Frankfort; 30 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her brother, Harold “Bud” Dicus of Venice, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Alfred F. Geis and Robert A. Heger; her sons, Robert L. Geis and John F. Geis, who recently passed away in September; her sisters, June, Neva, Freda, and Verna; and her infant brother, James.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greensburg on Monday, October 26, 2026. The Rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by visitation from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. leading into the Funeral Mass. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery in Enochsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Point Volunteer Fire Department or the Napoleon Volunteer Fire Department.