Carol Leo Heiman, 79, of Seneca, Kansas, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 12, 2025.

Carol Leo was born on May 29, 1945, in Axtell, the son of Joe F and Helen Heiman.  He grew up on a dairy farm near Baileyville. He attended and graduated from Baileyville High School in 1963. Carol Leo then was in the Army Reserves for six years. During this time, he also milked cows on the family farm.

On June 6, 1970, Carol Leo married Karen Dalinghaus at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. The couple celebrated over 55 years of marriage. In 1972, Carol Leo & Karen started their own dairy called “Avalanche Holsteins” consisting of cattle with the very top genetics of Registered Holstiens. It was a family affair, and he was the rock that held it all together. He was a hardworking, dedicated dairy man and took great pride in caring for his cattle.  They disbursed the dairy in 1996, but then he continued to enjoy other farmwork.  He moved to Seneca in 2014 but visited the farm frequently.  He could be seen burning brush piles, running the skid loader, feeding the cats and dogs, or just piddling around on the farm. Throughout his whole life, he was quite the jokester and anyone who met him knew he loved to give others a hard time.

In retirement, Carol Leo enjoyed sitting on his patio to watch the birds and golfers. He also enjoyed “hunting” golf balls, especially with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Harold Heiman, an infant sister, Phyllis Heiman.

He is survived by his wife, daughters, Jada (Brian) Stolzenburg, Sherrie (Rob) Shaw, and Shellie (Louie) Bustamante all of Topeka, as well as sons Travis (Julie) Heiman of Axtell and Craig (Katie) Heiman of Baileyville. Carol Leo was also a loving grandfather to 11 grandchildren: Anna Stolzenburg, Garrett & Myiah Shaw, Ryan & Lily Bustamante, Alice, Helen, & Leo Heiman, and Addison, Kayson & Connor Heiman. In addition, he is survived by brothers Maurice Heiman and Melvin (Janet) Heiman, both of Baileyville, and sister Beverly (Charley) Anderson of Topeka.

A rosary will be prayed on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville with burial following in the Sacred Heart Church cemetery in Baileyville. Full military honors were provided by the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Earl W. Taylor Post #21. A flag line was provided by the American Legion Riders Post #21.

Memorials may be left in Carol Leo’s memory sent in care of the family to be designated at a later date.