Ofelia Codiam Bangsara

On February 3 2025 God called Ofelia Codiam Bangsara into his kingdom in heaven. She was a beacon of light in this life that gave hope, strength, and courage to all that knew her. 

Ofelia was born on May 14, 1975, in Tabuk city, Kalinga Province in The Philippines where she grew up on the family farm learning and working hard to sow seeds that yielded a large strong community of hardworking Christians with unparalleled family values. She graduated from college in Tabuk at the Kalinga-Apayao State University where she excelled in all that she studied. Shortly after graduation she moved to South Korea where she had two daughters Sohee (2001), and Hyerim (2004). Ofelia’s love for them knew no bounds, nor could words express how very proud she was of them. Ofelia began her Professional Career in Pohang, Korea as an English Teacher, teaching children in the day, and educating adults in the evening. Later she moved on to work as an Interpreter at Posco Steel where she mastered the intricacies of guiding International Executives through various production processes in one of the world’s largest steel production facilities, and fluently spoke seven languages. She was a sought-out member of Jukdo Catholic Church in Pohang where she served as the President of The Filipino Association. There she helped countless people in all things humanitarian. In 2018 she met her husband Daniel Heavener in Pohang, and by 2019 they were married. Daniel was there serving in the US Navy at that time. In 2020 Daniel was reassigned to Mississippi in the United States where they began to attend Saint Ann’s Church together. Despite all the trials and tribulations that go along with a move to a new country she embraced life, flourished, and made a lasting positive impact on all the people she met. Ofelia enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, bible study, social gatherings, fashion, exercise, karaoke, fishing, picnics, gardening, eating, and cooking new things. Her ability to calm troubled waters, charismatic charm, and optimistic persona will be dearly missed in this life, and duly looked forward to in the next, by all that loved and knew her. 

Ofelia was preceded in death by her father, Andres Bangsara and two brothers, Leonardo Codiam Bangsara and Bonefe Codiam Bangsara.

She is survived by her mother, Lourdes Codiam Bangsara; husband, Daniel Heavener; daughter, Sohee Bangsara Cheon; daughter, Hyerim Bangsara Cheon; brother, Joel C.Bangsara; sister-in-law, Evelyn B Puhno; sister, Elma B Daquigan; brother-in-law, Alexander Daquigan; sister, Marvy C Bangsara; brother,Bobby C Bangsara; sister, Claire C Bangsara; sister, Soledad C Bangsara; grandmother-in-law, Joyce DeFeyter; father and mother-in-law, Glenn and Sandra Heavener; sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Phil VandenToorn; brother and sister in-law, Michael and Emily Heavener; brother and sister in-law, Elizabeth and Jeremy Rumble; sister and brother-in-law, Rebecca and Spencer Hobs and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Saint Anne Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis  from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow at the church hall.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ofelia Codiam Bangsara.