Vernon M. Heck
Vernon M. Heck, 73, of Tamaroa, passed away at 6:06 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014 at the Pinckneyville Community Hospital at Pinckneyville.
Vernon was a retired coal miner and had worked for Arch Coal Company for 35 and a half years. He had also worked as road maintenance for the Perry County Road District and as a truck driver for Ryterski Trucking. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tamaroa. Vernon had served as Trustee and was on the Parrish Council. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Pinckneyville, Moose Lodge in Pinckneyville and the Tamaroa Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of UMW of A and had served on the Tamaroa Village Board and Tamaroa Grade School Board. He was a U.S. Army veteran and had served in Germany during the Vietnam era. He had served as a Field Medical Technician.
He was born March 2, 1940 at Du Bois, Ill., the son of William and Sophia (Kreoger) Heck Sr.
He is survived by three children - Greg Heck and wife Debbie of Du Quoin, Mary Nippe and husband Ricky of Tamaroa and Charles Heck and wife Kami of Du Bois, special friend - Betty Ogilvie of Tamaroa, two sisters - Evelyn Kostecki of Du Bois and Martha Rulevish of Tamaroa, eight grandchildren - Bryant Lively, Kaliyn Lively and Kelton Lively, all of Tamaroa, Taylor Heck of Du Quoin, Payton Nippe and Bailey Nippe, both of Tamaroa, Jacob Heck and Sophie Heck, both of Du Bois, one great grandson - Jaedon Heck of Du Quoin, many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter - Stacey Fox, one brother - William 'Pete' Heck Jr. and four sisters - Frances Biesk, Helen Kurtz, Virdell Deering and Hilda Wojtowicz.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17, 2014 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tamaroa with Fr. Oliver Nwachukwu officiating.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tamaroa.
Rosary will be prayed at 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tamaroa.
Burial will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery at Tamaroa.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin V.F.W. and American Legion and Army National Guard.
A Masonic graveside service will be held at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Tamaroa.
Friends may make memorials to Stacey's Field of Dreams or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church General Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa is in charge of arrangements.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.