Hecker Jr., Garnett F. 1936-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.

Garnett F. Hecker Jr., 88, St. Joseph, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 31, 2025, on his farm, doing what he loved.

He was born Sunday, July 26, 1936, in Corning, Missouri, to Garnett and Nellie (Younger) Hecker. He was a 1954 graduate of Lafayette High School and earned his associate’s degree in engineering from St. Joseph Junior College.

Garnett proudly served his country as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army Airborne from 1956 to 1959, which included deployment to the 1958 Lebanon Crisis.

He met Adelheid “Heidi” Mueller in Germany during his military service, and they were married on June 23, 1958. She preceded him in death on Dec. 30, 2021.

Garnett worked as a partsman for International Harvester for 50-plus years, was a lifelong farmer and a multi-talented “Mr. Fix-It.”

He was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, an avid blood donor, and a member of the Silver & Gold Club.

Garnett loved traveling with Heidi, having been to all 50 states and several countries.

Most of all, Garnett loved to spend time with his family, especially cheering on his great-grandchildren’s sporting events, and working on his farm.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Heidi; and his parents.

Survivors include his children, Steven Hecker (Connie), Cornelia Schirber (Pete), and Renee King (Russell); grandchildren, Nicole Conroy (Justin), Amber Ostendorf (Chris), Erik Hecker (Gracie Roach), Matthew Schirber (Jocelyn), Stephanie Kudryavtseva (Dimitry Kudryavtsev), and Ashley Schirber, and Regan Atkins (Jeff); great-grandchildren, Parker and Easton Conroy, Ella and Liam Ostendorf, Eleanor Schirber, and Max Kudryavtsev; siblings, Joyce Carol Cox (David), Jerry Hecker (Betty), Dennis Hecker (Rita), Peggy Johnson (JD), and Lanny Hecker (Kim); numerous other extended family members and friends.

Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment with his beloved Heidi, Leavenworth National Cemetery at a later date. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, St. Joseph, and to donate blood in his honor.

Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.