HUGOTON – Marlin Phil Heger, 89, died Friday, December 13, 2024, at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton.
He was born June 9, 1935 to Otto Wilhelm and Versia Mills Heger.
He married Erma Scott Dec. 31, 1960. She preceded him in death.
He 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 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 Feb. 29, 1964.
Advocating for the farming profession was important. 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 through 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.
He attended First Baptist Church, Agape Church, and Trinity Baptist Church.
Survivors include sons, Darin Heger and wife, Michelle, and Kirk Heger and wife, Elise; daughters, Chelle Leininger and husband, Chuck, and Angela Heger; 11 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.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; son, Gregory Heger; and his siblings, Betty Lee and Gary Heger.
• Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 at Bethel Friends Church in Hugoton, with Pastor Terry Miller presiding.
Burial will follow at the Hugoton Cemetery in Hugoton, with military rites conducted by Kansas Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team and Southwest Kansas Veterans Funeral Honor Guard.
Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 at Garnand Funeral Home in Hugoton.
Memorials are suggested to Pheasant Heaven Charities in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 920 East 11th Street, Hugoton, KS 67951.
Condolences may be left at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
