Charles A. “Charlie” Heffern, 84, rural Iola, passed away Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola.
Charlie was born on Aug. 29, 1931, in Piqua, one of 12 children born to James and Theresa (Koenig) Heffern. He grew up in Piqua and served in the Kansas Army National Guard.
On April 22, 1963, Charlie married Bernita (Kress) West in Iola. They made their home in Iola before moving to their farm southeast of town. He farmed and retired from the City of Iola electrical department.
Charlie was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola, and a 65-year Knights of Columbus member, serving as a 4th Degree Knight. He loved his family and he loved to garden.
His is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Bernita Heffern; eight children, Kenneth C. West and wife Linda, Washington state, Therese E. West, rural Iola, Steven L. West and wife Bonnie, Chanute, Cathy West, Admire, Mary “Liz” Lewis and husband Brian, Coral Gables, Fla., Chuck Heffern and wife Linda, Iola, Larry Heffern and wife Mary, Topeka, and Barbara R. Nelson and husband Robert, Gridley; 22 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Fr. Colman Heffern, Pecos, N.M.; and a sister, Joan Massoth, Springfield, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings, William, Leonard, Frank, Roger, James, Mildred, Margaret, Tillie and Sister Carmel.
Parish rosary will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola, prior to funeral mass at 10:30. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Gas.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 tonight at Waugh-Yokum & Firskel Memorial Chapel in Iola.
Memorial gifts to the Catholic Diocese of Wichita Seminary Fund may be left with the funeral home. To sign the guest book online or leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Charlie Heffern
