Upon presenting an affidavit to the court or judge showing to the satisfaction of the court or judge that the heirs of the deceased person are proper parties to the action and that their names and residences cannot with the use of reasonable diligence be ascertained, the court or judge may grant an order that service of the summons in the action may be made on the “unknown heirs” by publication of the summons in the same manner as in actions against nonresident defendants.