Gordon Heckendorn (Seymour)'s Obituary
Reverend Gordon “Shorty” Heckendorn, longtime Seymour resident departed this life to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 28, 2014, at his residence surrounded by family. He was eighty-eight years, six months and three days old.
The fifth of seven children born to Claude George and Artie Mae (Matney) Heckendorn, Shorty was born in Seymour, Missouri, on October 25, 1925. Except for a few years spent out west on a cattle ranch as a young man, he lived most of his life in Matney Hollow. He married Mary Sue Pierson on July 27, 1946, and to this union five daughters were born. Shorty and Sue were married for nearly 68 glorious years. A welder by trade he worked for several years for Trailmobile. A life-long farmer, Shorty also spent some years working as a truck driver for Vollenweider Orchards and Brooks Gas. Most knew him for his passion in life – ministry. He was called to the ministry in the late 1950s, and was ordained minister in 1961 and pastored for many years at various churches in the area, for the past 20 years he ministered at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Seymour. Shorty was a very involved and well-respected member of his community. He was a member of many local organizations, including the Seymour R-II Board of Education, the Seymour Special Road District. He helped to organize the first Seymour Fire Department and was a board member of the Seymour Senior Center.
He was a 63-year member of the Hazelwood Masonic Lodge #459 A.F. & A.M., and served as Past Master in 1957. In 1952, Shorty joined the Order of the Eastern Star #144, followed by the Scottish Rite Valley of Joplin, the York Rite, and finally the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple of Springfield. He was designated an Honorary Alumni of Seymour High School and was a long-time participant of the Annual Cedar Gap Singing. Music was part of his life, and he was a key organizer of the Tuesday night “jam sessions” at the Seymour Senior Center.
In addition to his parents, Shorty was preceded in death by his brothers, John, Richard, Jack and Cyrus (Puss); and sister, Janie Carpenter.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Mary Sue; five daughters, Connie Salsbery and husband Bill, of Sharpsville, IN; Johnna Douglas and husband Harold, of Mansfield, MO; Nancy Chandler and husband Gary, of Springfield, MO; Denise Burt and husband Sam, of Seymour, MO; and Gail Newton and husband Mike, of Mansfield, MO; twelve grandchildren, Christopher, Heidi, Keisha, Joshua, Michael, Nathan, Justin, Mary Sue, Monica, Micah, Alex and Chad; thirty-one great-grandchildren; one sister, Clarice Henderson of Arkansas City, KS; and many nieces, nephews and extended family, and a host of friends and neighbors.
Gordon “Shorty” Heckendorn was a dedicated and loving husband and father. He was a caring and compassionate man who loved life and his Lord. He was a hard-working man for all of his years. He leaves behind a legacy for his family and his community. We take this time to honor a life well lived. His memories will be cherished by all who were blessed enough to call him family and friend.
In lieu of flowers, the Heckendorn Family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to the Seymour Senior Center or King’s Food Pantry or a charity of one’s choice.
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