Joseph Heilman was born on March 25, 1932 in Harvey to Sebastian and Katherine (Bossert) Heilman. He grew up on the family farm near Wellsburg, ND and attended the rural two-room schoolhouse in Wellsburg. Joe and Mildred (Millie) Haux were united in marriage on September 23, 1953 in Harvey. Joe and Millie made their home on farmstead near Wellsburg where they worked the land and raised their family. Joe was always the farmer, even up to the very end when he died peacefully in his sleep at home on May 18, 2010. He will always be remembered by his family for his stewardship and dedication to the land and farming. How he enjoyed listening to music and how his face would light up when the family, friends and especially grandchildren would come by for a visit. Joe was a member of the St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Harvey. Joe served on the Fram Township Board and was a member of the Harvey Rural Fire Protection District. Joe enjoyed going south in the winter time to New Mexico and also going for a drive in the countryside, watching the crops grow. Joe is survived by his wife Mildred of rural Harvey; two sons, Gary (Marilyn) Heilman of Harvey and Glen (Tawnia) Heilman of Harvey; daughter, Jeanette (Tom) Deede of Harvey; grandchildren, Joey (Courtney) Heilman, Jennifer (Kyle) Meier, Philip Deede, Nicole Deede, Dustin Heilman, and Kate Heilman; great-grandchildren, Breanna, Carson, Garrett, Isabelle, and Joslyn; sisters, Ann Goldade of Minot, Regina Kraft of Denver; brothers, Pete (Lou) of Rapid City, SD, and Herman (Marie) of Wahpeton. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eva Locnikar; and brothers, Edward and Adam.