Ron Heffner

Ronald Heffner, age 78, of Lemoyne, formerly of North Platte, died Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at Great Plains Health.

Ron was born at Maywood, Nebraska on February 6, 1941, to Glenn and Beatrice 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 Sherri, Ronda and Bobby Joe were 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 Cathy Coakley at Sidney. 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 Aries #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 liked being around them.

He leaves behind his wife, Cathy, of Lemoyne; daughters, Sherri (Tony) Edwards and Ronda (Tony) Johnson, all of Ogallala; stepsons, Dan (Deborah) Coakley, of Sterling, Colorado and Ron Coakley, of Tucson, Arizona; grandkids, Cortney Edwards, Chase (Abby) Edwards, Samantha (Ross) Mercer, Austin Johnson and Lindsey (Justin) Bash; step grandkids, Justin (Danielle) Coakley, Jessica (Trent) Kauffman, Taylor Coakley and Shannon (Wade) Wright; many great-grandchildren; and other family.

Ron was preceded in death by his son, Bobby Joe Heffner; mother and stepfather, Ione and Clarence Rundstrom; and his father, Glenn Heffner.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. (CT) on Monday, October 28, 2019, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Inurnment will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. 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.