By Sophie Pappas
After more than 35 years in the executive retail world, and manning companies such as Hills Dept. Store, Toys R Us, and T.J. Maxx, Mike Heffner and his wife, Deanna, have settled in Zionsville.
“We’ve lived all over the country,” Heffner said during one afternoon at the Lions Clubhouse.
The clubhouse sits on Elm Street and overlooks Lions Park, a 22-acre public park owned and maintained by the Lions Club members of Zionsville. This is the club that Mike Heffner is now president of.
“I’ve lived in 15 different places all over the country,” Heffner said. “But I knew I wanted to retire in Zionsville. And I knew this time I wanted to be a Lion.”
For Heffner “this time” means his second retirement. Several years ago, Heffner, now 65, retired and settled in the village. But over time he realized retirement was too boring and that, in his words, he “retired too soon.”
“Someone called me up and asked if I wanted to work, and I did,” Heffner said. “But this time I am really retired. Here we like the atmosphere of the small town. And my wife and I always liked Indianapolis over Chicago. Actually, my wife read an article about Christmas in Zionsville and that’s how we decided to come here.”
Raised in the small town of Lima, Ohio, Heffner said he’s been transient his whole life, first because of his father’s work and then because of his work in retail.
“My work was very rewarding,” he said. “But I didn’t devote much time to community service. We never had children, so I was always able to be on the go. I worked and worked and worked.”
Now that he and his wife are permanent residents in the Midwest, Heffner devotes his time to activities such as leading the Lions Club meetings and serving food at the Zionsville Food Pantry (every Friday, even if it means missing a Lions Club meeting.)
“I never miss working at the pantry,” Heffner said. “It is my greatest joy.”
Another one of Heffner’s favorite days of the year is the VIP night of Fall Festival.
“When I first heard about VIP night I thought it was for town leaders, from town council,” he said. “But it wasn’t about that at all.”
VIP night is for the families of children with learning and physical disabilities. The festival and all of its rides and games are open and available free of charge for the families.
“We partner with the Best Buddies club at the high school,” Heffner said. “And the looks on these kids’ faces is unbelievable. It’s a wonderful night and my favorite Lions event.”
FACTS ABOUT THE ZIONSVILLE LIONS CLUB
- Most recently nominated more than 140 new members.
- It is the largest Zionsville chapter in Indiana.
- Elects a new president every July, although this president starts preparing for duty in January.
- Hosts events such as the Fourth of July fireworks, Fall Festival, Summer Concert Series, and more at no cost to the town.
FACTS ABOUT MIKE HEFFNER
- Age: 65
- Family: Wife of 41 years, Deanna
- Hometown: Lima, Ohio
- Favorite hobbies: golfing, yard work, spending time outdoors
