Erma Maxine Heckemeyer, of St. James, formerly of Dixon, was born on May 31, 1931, at Duncan Falls, Ohio, a daughter of James Presley and Amanda (Payton) Foster and departed this life at 4:35 a.m., Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in the Missouri Veterans Home, St. James. Mrs. Heckemeyer had attained the age of 85 years, 1 month and 18 days.

Mrs. Heckemeyer was united in marriage on May 17, 1952, at St. Elizabeth to John Bernard Heckemeyer and to this union, two sons were born. She was preceded in death by her husband on February 1, 2011; her father and mother, James and Amanda; four brothers, Harold Foster, Howard Foster, Jerry Foster and John Foster and one sister, Bernadine Lloyd.

Mrs. Heckemeyer was a faithful member of the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Dixon. She enjoyed volunteering for the church and quilting.

Mrs. Heckemeyer was a United States Army veteran having served her country from August 23, 1951 to August 11, 1952, working as a clerk at Fort Leonard Wood. Upon her honorable discharge from the Army, she became a Certified Nurse's Assistant and continued her work at Fort Leonard Wood Army Hospital as well as being a loving and devoted wife and mother.


Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Heckemeyer include: two sons and daughters-in-law, Alan and Reta Heckemeyer, Russellville and Mike and Phyllis Heckemeyer, San Augustine, Texas; seven grandchildren,Tammy, Jason, Jonathan, Joseph, James, Amanda and Jennifer; five great-grandchildren, Jordan, Hannah, Olivia, Connor and Jacob; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held for Mrs. Heckemeyer from 9 – 10 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m., all on Saturday, July 23, 2016, in the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Dixon with the Rev. Joseph Hoi celebrating.

Interment with full military honors will be in the St. Theresa Cemetery, near Dixon

Masses or memorial contributions are suggested by the family to the St. Theresa Catholic Church or to the Missour Veterans Home, St. James with envelopes available at the St. Theresa Catholic Church or the Dixon office of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services.