Rev. Jerome M. Heyman, O.S.A. (1931 - 2023)

Rev. Jerome Millard Heyman, O.S.A., entered eternal life on February 19, 2023. He was 91 years old.

Jerome Millard Heyman was born on June 25, 1931, in Waukegan, Illinois, to Millard A. and Madge Heyman. He was baptized on July 26, 1931, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Waukegan. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 17, 1943, at the same church.

Jerome received his elementary education at Immaculate Conception School in Los Angeles, California, at Blessed Sacrament School in Hollywood, California, and at Immaculate Conception School in Waukegan. He began his secondary education at Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago. He transferred in 1949 to St. Augustine Seminary in Holland, Michigan, which granted him a high school diploma in 1951.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on September 7, 1951. He professed Simple (temporary) Vows in the Order of St. Augustine on September 10, 1952, and Solemn (permanent) Vows on September 10, 1955.

He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova University in 1956. He then studied Theology at Augustinian College in Washington, D.C., for two years. He completed his theological studies at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was ordained a priest on June 7, 1961.

Father Heyman was assigned in 1961 to St. Rita High School in Chicago as a teacher. In 1963, he became Associate Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan.

In 1965, Father Heyman became a member of the Augustinian Mission Band, headquartered at St. Joseph Mission House in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Mission Band conducted parish missions and led spiritual retreats throughout the United States. When the Mission Band relocated to St. Rita Monastery in Chicago in 1971, Father Heyman continued his preaching ministry and served as Director of the Mission Band.

Father Heyman was named Associate Pastor of St. Rita Parish in Chicago in 1984. He also served as Prior of the Augustinian community there. In 1987, he moved to St. Rita Monastery in Chicago and served as Prior there, where he began initiatives to help care for elderly and infirm friars.

He was transferred in 1991 to the St. Peter Center House Community in Douglas, Michigan. He served as Pastor of nearby Blessed Sacrament Parish in Allegan, Michigan, until June of 2006. In 1998, while remaining Pastor of Blessed Sacrament, he was also named Prior and Treasurer of the Augustinian community in Douglas.

Father Heyman was assigned in 2006 to the Augustinian community at Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Homer Glen, Illinois. He was appointed Superior of the community in 2010 and Prior in 2014. He continued to reside in retirement there until 2018, when he was assigned to Bl. Stephen Bellesini Friary in Crown Point, Indiana, so that his health care needs could be better met.

In November of 2022, Father Heyman was moved to skilled care from assisted living at St. Anthony Home in Crown Point, Indiana.  His health continued to decline until he was put under hospice care on February 14, 2023. 

Father Heyman peacefully entered eternal life on February 19, 2023.

Father Heyman will be remembered for his dynamic preaching skills and his ability to engage people with their faith.  He was a talented singer and a devoted fan of Bing Crosby.  He was known for his gentle and caring personality, and he was open to serving in whatever capacity the Province asked of him.