Daniel Francis Heberer, 57

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Dan Heberer on April 4, 2022, leaving us to be with his heavenly Father. Dan was born Jan. 7, 1965, at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb., and was the seventh son of Ray and Beatrice (Conrad) Heberer of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. As part of a military family he had the opportunity to live in the states of Nebraska, Hawaii, Illinois, California and Idaho. He graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1983 and also attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, for several semesters. Dan worked many seasons as a fire lookout in the forests of northern California. He loved being outdoors and was serenely happy high up in his Verdi Tower watching for any telltale signs of smoke in the Tahoe National Forest.

Eventually Dan decided to pursue a career as a truck driver. He moved to Spokane, Wash., where he met his lifetime companion, Judi Miller, and began working for a variety of trucking companies throughout the rest of his life. Occasionally, he would sign on with Heberer Trucking in Hayden, Idaho.

Dan had an unusual variety of hobbies in his lifetime. He was an avid reader, a huge collector of sport cards and comic books. He especially enjoyed going on metal-detecting outings. Any and everything in the world of science fiction piqued his interest. No doubt his deepest passion lay in the weekly gaming sessions he had with his friends. The figurines and scenery that were used had all been meticulously and beautifully painted by Dan himself. They are truly artistic treasures!

Dan had a traditional holiday hobby of making trucks and cradles, which he would then donate to various charitable organizations like The Altar Church or Toys for Tots. This woodworking project would begin months before Christmas and would involve meticulously measuring, cutting, assembling, sanding and painting each and every piece! Many of his friends and family members would volunteer their time and join in the fun. No doubt there are hundreds of these unique treasures that will be played with for years!

Dan was part of a large and loving family! He was the eternal "Kid at Heart" and adored playing with the younger ones. He brought such joy into everyone's life! The generosity of his time and the many gifts that he gave to his family and his friends over the years will never be forgotten. Dan was preceded in death by his brother, Tom, in 1997 and his brother, Joe, in 2002. He leaves behind his beloved partner Judi Miller, of Spokane, Wash., his father Ray and step-mother Rose Heberer, his mother Beatrice Conrad Heberer, his brothers Raymond (Mei-Hwa), Steve (Jennifer), David (Penny), Jim (Dotty) and his sister Katy (Erin), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, their children, several aunts, uncles and many cousins.

Friends and family are all invited to take part in a celebration of Dan's life on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., in Post Falls, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to bloodcenterfoundation.com/memorial-donation/ where Dan had been a major (10 gallons!) blood donor for many years.

MAY YOU REST IN ETERNAL PEACE, DEAREST DAN!