CLARA CECILIA HECK, 100, of Ruma, Illinois, passed away at 11:45 pm, Monday, September 21, 2015 at Red Bud Regional Care, Red Bud, Illinois She was born to the late Henry A. and Amelia A. (nee Barbeau) Hess on October 30, 1914 in Ruma, Illinois. She married Bernard A. Heck, Sr. on October 28, 1936 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ruma, Illinois; he preceded her in death on June 17, 1995. She was a homemaker and an avid quilter. She was a life-long member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ruma, Illinois. She served as president of the St. Patrick's Altar Sodality and was head of the St. Patrick's Quilting since 1961. She served as a 4H leader for 15 years. She was a charter member and parish chairperson of the Newman Center for the Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She was also a charter member of the St. Clement Hospital Auxiliary. She also had been in charge of the meals for the Ruma Homecoming for many years. Her 1934 Senior Class at Red Bud High School was the first year the Senior Tea Party was celebrated and she continued to celebrate the Tea Party till she was 98 years old. Survivors: 5 Children Bernard "Sonny" (Rhonda) Heck, Jr. Ellis Grove, IL Eugene (Debi) Heck Ruma, IL Jeanelle Dinan Prairie du Rocher, IL Charlotte (Wayne) Steibel Ruma, IL Ramona (William) Moyer St. Peters, MO 23 Grandchildren 32 Great Grandchildren & 3 Step Great Grandchildren 9 Great-Great Grandchildren Many Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces, Great Nephews, Great-Great Nieces, Great-Great Nephews and Friends Preceded in death by Parents, Husband, 1 Daughter & Son-in-law - Jeanette (Curtis) Henry, 1 Son-in-law - Gilbert Dinan, 4 Brother - Nicholas (Elizabeth) Hess, Henry William "Bill" (Esther) Hess, Herman (Florence) Hess, and Paul (Agnes) Hess, 5 Sister - Mary "Mae" (Emiel) Scherle, Theresa Hess, Agnes (George) Degenhardt, Marguerite (Frank) Heck and Lucy Hess and 1 Half-Brother - Clement Hess Funeral Mass: 11:00 am, Saturday, September 26, 2015 St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Ruma, Illinois Officiating: Msgr. Dennis Schaefer Interment: St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery Ruma, Illinois Visitation: Friday - 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday - 8:00 am - 10:30 am Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home, Red Bud, Illinois Memorials: Masses Newman Center
