Gerald Alvin “Jerry” Heyen Jr., 70, passed away peacefully on March 20th, 2025 at 3 a.m. at his home with his family by his side.
Jerry was born on February 4th, 1955 in Carlinville, IL to the late Gerald A Heyen Sr.,
and Joetta (Mensing) Million. He grew up in Jerseyville and enlisted in the United States
Army where he proudly served from 1972-1974.
Jerry married the love of his life, Pamela (Baze) Heyen on November 27, 1976. Jerry
and Pam made their home in Columbia, MO in 1983, settling into their home just north
of town where they resided together until Jerry’s passing. Married for nearly forty-nine
years, Jerry and Pam built a family and a life together, raising their two sons - Josh and
Jake.
Jerry worked at Mr. Transmission for 28 years before its closure, and then worked at his
home shop until his illness in June of 2024. He was known far and wide for his car
diagnosing and transmission building abilities. He could and did fix just about everything
you could imagine - it was never a question of “if” Jerry could fix it. It was when. Though
he was humble about it, he truly was a master mechanic.
His shop was more than just a place to work on cars. It was where many of the very
best memories were made, and the place where Jerry and his friends gathered often to
have a few beers, play a little Wii golf, and swap car stories and jokes. It was also the
best place to listen to music, where the song titles of his familiar favorites were written
on the walls for reference.
Jerry had a deep appreciation for, and was very passionate about his music - it was rare
to pay a visit to the shop without hearing music playing. Even more rare if Jerry wasn’t
belting out every word and playing the world’s best air guitar or piano with more
enthusiasm than most musicians do. And when his friends and family were over, there
would be a choir of voices joining him with every song. While there were many bands he
loved, Jerry’s favorite was Supertramp. Whether he was singing along to “Goodbye
Stranger” or “Fool’s Overture,” experiencing his rhapsodic love for the music firsthand is
something that those closest to him will never forget.
The shop was also where he worked tirelessly over the years restoring his pride and
joy: his ‘69 Chevelle. Jerry loved a lot of things - but you’d see a special twinkle in his
eye when he talked about that Chevelle.
Jerry accomplished and enjoyed much in his life, but what he was most proud of was
his family. Everyone who knew Jerry knew how proud he was of his wife, his boys and
their significant others, and his grandkids.
Surviving are his wife, Pamela Heyen of Columbia; his two sons Josh Heyen (Sheila
Eckert) of Auxvasse, and Jake Heyen (Christina) of Columbia; two grandchildren,
Emma Heyen, and Kyzer Heyen; his mother, Joetta (Mensing) Million of Jerseyville, IL;
his brother, Eddie Heyen of Plainview, IL; his sister, Susan Heyen of Godfrey, IL; three
nieces, Jessica Heyen, Jessica Goodman, and Evelyn Heyen; his nephew Tony Baze;
and his ever loyal dog, Max.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Heyen Sr., and his stepmother, Shirley
Heyen; his father and mother-in-law, Russell and Deborah Baze; his brother, Steve
Million; and his nephew Adam Heyen.
Jerry was truly one of a kind, and he will be remembered for many things - his love for
his family and friends, his love of cars and music, a great sense of humor, and that
wonderfully contagious laugh of his. He had a big heart - he was a man you could
always count on, and someone you always wanted to make proud. Jerry was a great
man, and he will be deeply and painfully missed by his wife and his family, as well as his
beloved friends.
Jerry will be laid to rest in Shipman Cemetery at a private family service.
A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at a later date in Columbia, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by giving a blood donation to the American
Red Cross in memory of Jerry Heyen.
“Goodbye stranger, it's been nice - Hope you find your paradise.” - Supertramp
