Virgil Joseph Hecker
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Virgil Hecker, died Jan 8th at his home surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with acute leukemia. He was born in Park KS, on March 21, 1933, to Martin and Frances (Ziegler)Hecker.
After graduating from Oakley High School in 1951, he joined the U.S. Marines and served from 1951- 1954.During the Korean War he was a top sharp shooter at 1000 yards, a tank driver and instructor. Virgil graduated from Kansas State University in 1958. He married Vonda Lee (Knapp) Hecker in 1957 and to this union was born Ranny Joe and Karla Kay.
Virgil worked as a vocational agricultural teacher in Syracuse KS and in Dalhart Texas on irrigation units. Then moved to Denver and retired as a mechanic at Swedish Medical Center. He moved to Hays KS where he was a bus driver for USD 489 Transportation and TMP. He was best known for giving many riddles to the students to solve during bus rides. Virgil was also known for his sense of humor and his love of Harley Davidsons which began when he was only fourteen years old.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vonda; his son, Ranny; and siblings; Jimmy Hecker and Darlene Kitendaugh. Virgil is survived by his daughter, Karla (Edward) Umlauf; and siblings, Alvin (Betty) Hecker, Gilbert Hecker and Val Devers; brothers- in-law, Roland Knapp and Stanley Ostmeyer; and sister-in-law, Kay Hughes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the" Veterans Honoring Veterans", with Virgil Hecker in the memo line, mail to Adamson at 2000 47th Ave, Greeley, CO 80634. Memorial Services are planned for 1 Feb 2020 at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center in Oakley, KS at 10:30 am, officiated by Bob Kelly.
Condolences can be sent to the family at AdamsonCares.com