Vernon Grant Heck Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Vernon Grant Heck, 96 of Climbing Hill, Iowa died on Thursday, June 30, 2022. Living life to the fullest until the very end, he was granted his final wish of completing his life independently on the farm he helped build. A Funeral service will be at 10:30 AM on Friday at Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel located at 1801 Morningside Ave. Sioux City, Iowa 51106 with the Rev. LeRoy Struble officiating. Interment will be in Westfork Township Cemetery, Climbing Hill, IA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel, 1801 Morningside Ave., Sioux City, Iowa. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.christysmith.com Vernon was born September 11, 1925, in Smithland, Iowa, to Grant and Mabel (Ferdig) Heck. The family soon moved to a farm in Onawa, Iowa and then again in the late 1930’s to Moorhead, Iowa where Vernon farmed with his dad until 1949. Vernon then moved to Sioux City, Iowa and worked in a variety of jobs before joining the US Army from Sept 1950 until Sept 1952 during the Korean Conflict, obtaining the rank of Sergeant. After returning home, Vernon met the love of his life, Viola Saar Daily, marrying her on December 2, 1953. Vernon, Viola, and son Ray moved to what would become the family farm outside of Climbing Hill, Iowa in 1954. Here the couple raised four boys Ray, Jerry, Marty, and Doug. Vernon farmed until his retirement in 1988, continuing to live on the homestead for a total of 68 years before his passing. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Climbing Hill, Leslie F. Seaton American Legion Post 666 of Smithland, and 52-year member of Friends of Bob. He loved going fishing in Canada with his family, gardening, travelling, restoring old John Deere tractors and being a part of the Tri-State Antique Tractor Association. Left to cherish his memory include his sons, Ray Daily and his wife Ella June of Mount Vernon, IL, Jerry Heck and his wife Donna of Gloucester, VA, Marty Heck and his wife Julie of Moville, Doug Heck, and his wife Kim of Moville, ten grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, and sister Ilene Tutmark of Portland, OR. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Viola, sister Vera, and brother Eugene Heck. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Vernon Grant Heck

September 11, 1925 - June 30, 2022