Bernard I. Heet
April 29, 1926 ~ July 2, 2020
He was born on April 29, 1926, in Taos, the son of the late Bernard Henry and Elizabeth J. Dirckx Heet.
He was married on January 28, 1950 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City to Laurine Mary Kliethermes who preceded him in death on July 29, 2017. Together they shared sixty-seven years and are now reunited again.
On October 24, 1944, he was inducted into the United States Navy and served as a signal man aboard the submarine chaser USS PC-817 in the Pacific Theater during World War Two. He was honored to have visited Washington, D.C. as a member of the Honor Flight program and to have received the American Legion Quilt of Valor for his years of service to our country.
Bernard returned from the war and went to work for Sexton Ford as their Parts Manager and then on December 16, 1956, went to work for the Missouri State Highway Patrol and retired as Superintendent of Garages on March 1, 1994.
Bernard was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where he served on the Parish Council and as an usher. He was also a member of St. Francis Xavier Knights of Columbus Council No. 6430.
He was known for his smile and joy for life, never questioning or complaining. His answer to life's trials was to "say Hail Marys." He loved his wife, his family, his faith, and the Rosary. He enjoyed sitting on the porch swing listening to his beloved St. Louis Cardinals and watching them on TV. His love for baseball included years of playing and coaching local Taos teams. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening, horseshoes, and pinochle card games -- passions he shared with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory include six children, Dinah (Roger) Hagner, Jefferson City; Daryl (Mary) Heet, Jefferson City; Dan (Dawn) Heet, Jefferson City; Doris Cadd, Liberty, Missouri; Dave (Dana) Heet, Linn, Missouri; and Denise Heet, Columbia, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Laura (Bill) Voss; Ryan (Jennifer) Hagner; Joe (Katie) Heet; Kevin (Tonya) Hagner; Jeff (Cheryl) Heet; Tabatha (Justin) Krieger; Emma Cadd; Lindsey Heet; and Sarah Cadd; ten great-grandchildren, Jacob, Shelby, and Drew Voss; Zach, Jake, Avery, Derek, and Jace Hagner; and Everleigh and Ava Krieger; two siblings, Frank Heet, Holts Summit, Missouri; and Irene Kliethermes, Loose Creek, Missouri; in-laws, Lorene Heet; Harry and Bernice Kliethermes; Edgar Kliethermes; Alvina Jaegers; Dorothy Thessen; and Vincent Prenger; and many family and friends.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kathy Heet; siblings and spouses, Irene (Roy) Cavendar; Margaret (Victory) Coffey; Charlie (Alma) Heet; Harold Heet; Donald (Lola) Heet; and Rudy Heet; and in-laws, Jean Heet; Clifford Kliethermes; Oscar (Maggie) Kliethermes; Elsie (Urban) LeCuru; Shirley Prenger; Leslie Jaegers; and Walter Thessen.
Visitation will be 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7th, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos, with the Rev. Michael Penn officiating. The service will be live streamed for those who wish to watch from home. The link can be found on Bernard’s obituary page at www.dulletrimble.com.
Burial with military honors will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Taos.
The general public is welcome to attend the services while following social distancing guidelines and wearing masks when entering and exiting the church. Disposable masks will be provided by Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home if needed.
The family wants to keep everyone safe so has decided not to have a luncheon after the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 7319 Route M, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
Friends and Family uploaded 1 to the gallery.
We built a lot of “weekend” houses with Bernard. He was fun to be around.
Our thoughts & prayers are with all of The Heet Family…with deepest sympathy from Debbie Branson & Family & Hair Connections
My thoughts and prayers to the entire Heet family . I will miss Bernard, but know he is happy being reunited with his wife and other family members. I know anyone who knew him while at Heisinger Bluffs loved him. He was always so appreciative of anything you did for him. He had the sweetest smile that would light up a room. He loved his family very much and you all supported him while in our care and this meant a lot to him. Treasure all the happy memories you have, and know he is now reaping all the rewards in Heaven . Thanks for sharing him with us and take care.
My deepest sympathy to the Heet family. I always enjoyed seeing his smile, chatting with him & especially enjoyed playing Bingo with him while visiting my Mom. He was a gracious & kind man. He will be missed. Joyce Schaefer Wilson
He was good guy he always smile.and.gave huge and he was good res from deedee millington
Bernie has crossed over to the promised land Walking among the saints with Laurene hand in hand His life was fulfilling in so many ways A blessed man in his community all of those nights and days His faith was the foundation that drove him to live A life of modesty and humility who was willing to forgive Others who may have wronged him from time to time For his thoughtfulness was faithfully sublime Now Bernie sits on a perch in a better place And is glorified and sanctified by God’s holy grace
We love you Deedee. Thank you for being an awesome caretaker for our mom and dad. I hope you’re doing well
We appreciate you so much Shirley. Thank you for taking such good care of both my mom over the years.
Sending my heartfelt sympathy to the Heet family but especially to Dinah and Daryl. Bernie was truly a good man!
Bernard you will truly be missed by everyone. I always loved and respected you and your family. I hope to see you again my friend Kelly Charlton
Daryl, I’m so sorry to her about your Dad’s passing. Please know that I have you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. David Wallace
I was fortunate enough to get to know Bernard at HB. What kind and sweet guy—a true man of God. He loved his kids and grandkids and spoke about them to me often. The Heet family is in my thoughts and prayers.