Lifelong Stevens County resident, Marlin Phil Heger, 89, passed from this life Friday, December 13, 2024, at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, Kansas. Marlin was born in his home in rural Stevens County to Otto Wilhelm and Versia Mills Heger on June 9, 1935. He attended Center Valley School from first through third grade and finished his grade school years at Fairview Grade School, graduating from 8th grade on May 10, 1949. He graduated from Hugoton High School on May 18, 1953.
Marlin earned his pilot’s license in August of 1953 and enjoyed flying his plane and working on the family farm until he was drafted into the United States Army on March 12, 1958. He served in the Second Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas, from March to September 1958 and as a Technician Grade E4 in the Third Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany from September 1958 to March,1960. He then completed his required years of reserve and was honorably discharged on February 29, 1964. Marlin’s time in the Army had a lifelong impact on him. He cherished his memories of that time in his life and remained in touch with many of his “army buddies,” taking his family to visit them as well as hosting them in his home.
Shortly after returning from Germany, on March 10, 1960, Marlin’s brother, Gary, introduced him to Erma Scott. They were engaged in August and married December 31, 1960, at the First Church of God in Liberal, Kansas. They built their home on the Heger home place southeast of Hugoton. Marlin had decided at the age of six that he wanted to farm. He put his whole heart and soul in it and never looked back. The proudest accomplishment of his life was getting married and starting a family so he would have heirs to leave his land to.
After he retired from farming, Marlin began to pursue two hobbies which he enjoyed for most of the rest of his life. He had always wanted a road grader because he liked to move dirt around, so he purchased a series of road graders and dirt movers and made it his business to keep his fields level and their access roads smooth. He also built a shooting table and developed a piece of pastureland he owned into a shooting range which he loved sharing with family, friends, and community members.
Advocating for the farming profession was important to Marlin. Among other awards and recognitions, he and his brother, Gary, received the Stevens County Soil Conservation Award in 1977. He was a board member of the Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District from 1993-2003, and in 2006 he and Erma received a Farm Bureau Century Farm award in recognition of continuing to farm the original family farm for 100 years.
Marlin’s friends and neighbors enjoyed his wit and sense of humor. They knew him as a “good man” who was kind, generous, and friendly. Following the death of his mother, his strict German father confided to him that he wished he had told his wife more often that he loved her. That story was a catalyst to Marlin’s decision to become more open with his affection, especially with his family. He became quick to say, “I love you,” and worked diligently with both family and neighbors to minimize conflict and promote positive relationships. He attended First Baptist Church, Agape Church, and Trinity Baptist Church with his dear friend, Elwanda Irwin. Her influence and God’s mercy led him to accept Jesus as the Savior of his soul, and that faith sustained him through the rest of his days.
He is survived by two sons, Darin Heger and wife Michelle of Hugoton, and Kirk Heger and wife Elise of Lawrence, Kansas; two daughters, Chelle Leininger and husband Chuck and Angela Heger all of Hugoton; eleven grandchildren, Andreia Moore and husband Jace, Laton Heger and wife Ashton, Kaitlyn Leininger, Brady Heger, Wade Heger, Zack Leininger and wife Madison, Nathan Leininger, Marlyn Engle and husband Brett, Casle and Jayce Heger, and Soe Lin Heger; and nine great-grandchildren, Tami, Toni, Alex, Travis, Hayden, Braxton, and Anchor Moore; Leia Leininger; and Jordy Heger.
Marlin was preceded in death by his wife, Erma, a son Gregory Allen Heger, his parents, and his siblings, Betty Lee and Gary Heger.
Funeral service will be 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Bethel Friends Church in Hugoton with Pastor Terry Miller officiating. Interment will follow at the Hugoton Cemetery with military rites conducted by Kansas Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team and Southwest Kansas Veterans Funeral Honor Guard. Visitation will be Friday, December 27, 2024, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Hugoton. Memorial contributions may be made to Pheasant Heaven Charities in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 920 East 11th Street, Hugoton, KS, 67951. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.