A gathering to celebrate the life of Jeannette A. Bales-Heiges, 89, of Lompoc, will be 2 pm, Friday, September 15, 2006, at Lompoc Cemetery with the Rev. Msgr. John Fitzgerald, of Queen of Angels Catholic Church, officiating. Friends are invited to a gathering at the Lompoc Hospital's Hickory Street Cafe following the services.

Jeannette was born October 20, 1916, to Robert and Virginia (Lodriguss) LeBlanc in Klotzville, Louisiana. She was raised in Houston, Texas. She earned her nursing degree from St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Houston, Texas, in 1938. Jeannette married Lee B. Bales on September 6, 1938. A woman devoted to her profession and her country, Jeannette enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1943, serving in the Army Nurse Corps in Southern France during World War II and was discharged with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After her discharge, she continued her nursing career in Houston. She moved to Santa Barbara, California with her husband, Lee, in 1950 where they both attended, and graduated from, Brooks Institute of Photography. Their daughter, Brenda, was born at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. They moved to Bakersfield, California in 1955, where they owned and operated Bales Camera Company. Jeannette decided to return to her nursing profession in 1957 and worked at Mercy Hospital of Bakersfield. Their son, Lee, Jr. was born at Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield. Jeannette, Lee and their two children moved to Lompoc in June of 1961. Soon after arriving in Lompoc, Jeannette was employed with the Lompoc Hospital. Mr. Bales passed away in December of 1974. After 20 years, she retired from her final position as Assistant Director of Nursing in July of 1981. In August of 1981 she married Laurence E. Heiges, Jr., M. D. Dr. Heiges retired in 1983 and then, together, they made three trips as a medical volunteer team, through Rotary International, to a medical clinic near La Union, Mexico. Active in the community, Jeannette was a member of the Lompoc Valley Historical Society, a volunteer with the Lompoc Hospital Women's Auxiliary Gift Shop, and also a driver for the Lompoc Branch of the American Cancer Society. Following Dr. Heiges' death in March of 1989, she helped establish the Dr. Laurence E. Heiges, Jr. Memorial Medical Library at Lompoc Hospital. Jeannette became an avid golfer. She was a member of the Village Country Club for many years, and then became a member of the Zaca Creek Women's Golf Association. She also played at numerous other Golf and Country Clubs in the surrounding area.

Jeannette passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 6, 2006, at Lompoc Hospital.

Survivors include her children, Brenda J. Bales of Lompoc, Lee B. Bales, Jr. and his wife Ana of Northridge, California. Dr. Anele E. Heiges, O.P. of New York City, David Lynn Heiges, M.D. and his wife Maureen of Visalia, California. Her three grandchildren, Brian Bales, Michael Heiges, Katie (Heiges) Allison and her husband Tom, one great-granddaughter, Lyndi Allison, plus numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, two sisters and three brothers.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Lompoc Hospital Women's Auxiliary Memorial Fund, 508 East Hickory Ave., Lompoc, CA 93436. The Lompoc Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 883, Lompoc, CA 93438. The Lompoc Valley Historical Society, P.O. Box 88, Lompoc, CA 93438. The Lompoc Concert Association, P.O. Box 1557, Lompoc, CA 93438.

Services are in the care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary of Lompoc. This obituary may also be viewed on line at www.starbucklind.com