Ronald Earl Heffner, age 78, of Lemoyne, Nebraska, formerly of North Platte, Nebraska, died on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.
Ron was born at Maywood, Nebraska on February 6, 1941 to Glenn and Beatrice (Viersen) Heffner. He grew up in North Platte and was a very talented athlete. While in high school, Ron lettered in every sport he played and earned a football scholarship to McCook Junior college. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1959, then went on to play football and basketball at McCook Junior College. He married Elaine Fenwick while still in college and to this union, Bobby Joe was born.
After college, Ron worked for Caterpillar in North Platte for a short time before going to work for Phillip Morris Tobacco Company. His career with the company lasted 33 years until he retired.
On October 6, 1972, Ron was united in marriage to Catherine 'Cathy' May Arlene Spahn Coakley at Sidney, Nebraska. The couple made their home in North Platte where Ron loved fishing, gardening and getting his hands in the dirt. He was also a member of Eagles Aerie #2839 for 35 years.
In 1994, Ron and Cathy moved to Lemoyne where Ron continued gardening and had great opportunities to fish. He especially loved being able to take his family fishing with him. During his retirement, he volunteered for the Eagle Viewing Area at Lake Ogallala and was on the Keith County Planning Board. Ron was a family man, he loved his family and like being around them.
He leaves behind his wife, Cathy of Lemoyne, Nebraska; daughters, Sherri (Tony) Edwards and Ronda (Tony) Johnson all of Ogallala, Nebraska; stepsons, Dan (Deborah) Coakley of Sterling, Colorado and Ron Coakley of Tuscon Arizona; grandkids, Cortney Edwards, Chase (Abby) Edwards, Samantha (Ross) Mercer, and Austin Johnson; step grandkids, Justin (Danielle) Coakley, Jessica (Trent) Kauffmann, Taylor Coakley, and Shannon (Wade) Wright; many great-grandchildren and other family.
Ron was preceded in death by his son, Bobby Joe Heffner; his mother and stepfather, Ione and Clarence Rundstrom; and his father, Glenn Heffner.
Cremation was chosen. Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Central Time on Monday, October 28, 2019 at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Inurnment will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens south of North Platte. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or the day of the service at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.