Ralph Heckert

Funeral Services for Ralph Heckert age 70, of Neligh, Ne will be 10:30 am Friday, February 12, 2016 at Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh, with Pastor David Kuhfal, Officiating. Burial will be in West Cedar Valley Cemetery in Elgin, NE with Military Rites conducted by, Neligh American Legion Post #172 and Legion Riders. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 Thursday, February 11, 2016 at Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Neligh. Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Ralph William Heckert was born on July 28, 1945 to Ralph and Madeline (Peterson) Heckert at Yankton, South Dakota. He graduated from Elgin Public High School in 1963. After graduation he attended Wayne State College with a Business in Marketing and Management Degree, graduating in 1968. He was affiliated with Phi Beta Lambda business fraternity and was also on the Wayne State Swim Team. He was a lifeguard and manager of the Neligh pools. On June 23, 1968 he was united in marriage to Kathleen Bennett at Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh, Nebraska. Ralph was employed with Mobil Oil Corporation the summer of 1968. He joined the United States Navy in November 29, 1968 and served aboard the USS Fresno LST 1182 as a Yeoman in the ship's office. His home base was in Long Beach, CA with tours of Vietnam. He was then stationed at NAS Lemoore, CA until he was honorably discharged in November 28, 1972. Ralph rejoined Mobil Oil Corporation in Kansas City, MO and then spent two years in Milwaukee, WI as a marketing representative. In 1975, Ralph and Kathy returned to Neligh starting the Sears Roebuck Catalog Store, until 1984 when he took his real estate and insurance licensure exams. He was a partner at Neligh Insurance and Realty until 1990, when he opened Heckert Insurance, Inc. selling property and casualty insurance until retirement in 2005. Ralph was involved in many organizations: the Neligh Fire Department, serving as Fire Captain for many years; the Neligh Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska; was named Businessman of the Year of the Neligh Chamber of Commerce; was a member of the Neligh American Legion Post #172/VFW; was Permanent Member of American Legion; was a Veteran of Foreign Wars Life Member; and a member of Pool Board. Hobbies he enjoyed in his retirement included helping his son with his mowing and snow removal business; took an interest in woodworking, building picnic tables, outdoor end tables, flower planters, cutting boards; and most importantly spending time with his beautiful granddaughters. Survived by his wife, Kathy, daughter, Dr. Wende Heckert of Norfolk, NE, and son, Craig (Lia) Heckert of Neligh, NE and their six girls, Courtni, Emma, Hailey, Mercedes, Victoria, and Hadassah; sister, Nancy (Steve) Anderson of Lincoln, NE; and Nephew, John Massie of Lincoln, NE. Preceded in death by parents and twin brothers in infancy.