SMITH CENTER - Margie Ilene Heeler age 90, passed on to her heavenly home on Tues., March 2, 2021 at Downs Care and Rehabilitation Center in Downs, KS. Margie was born in Tipton, Ks., on Nov. 9, 1930 the daughter of Earl and Opal Henry.
Margie graduated from Beloit High School, Beloit, KS. in 1948. Margie and James L. Heeler were married on Feb. 27,1949. Together they raised four children, Shelia, Jim, Cindy, and Janice. Margie had an active life in the Beloit community. She played a supportive role with her husband, Jim, in the American Legion and American Legion Baseball. Margie was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Member of the Beloit United Methodist Church, and a charter member of Delphian Club. She moved with her family to Smith Center, Ks., in 1968 as her husband, Jim, who was employed with the Gas Service Company was moved to a new position in Smith Center, Ks.
Margie, or Marge as many called her, was an Avon Lady for a few years. Then in 1972 when her youngest child started school, she started working for USD 237, Smith Center School System. She worked in the kitchen as cook, head cook, and then Supervisor. She loved her career at the school, working with all the others in the kitchen and enjoyed getting to know and seeing all the kids. She had a smile for each of them. She worked at the school for 21 years and retired in 1993. Her coworkers were her best friends and after retirement they all would meet frequently for lunch. She was an excellent cook and truly enjoyed family gatherings where her culinary masterpieces wowed them all.
Margie and husband, Jim, belonged to Good Sam's for many years and enjoyed camping with their RV, boating and fishing with family and friends. They also looked forward to taking an annual motor coach trip to Las Vegas with family and friends for many years. Margie and Jim celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on February 27, 1999. Margie was an active member in Smith Center United Methodist church, American Legion Auxiliary & VFW Auxiliary, loved her hobbies of playing bingo with friends and family, cards, dominoes, working with her flowers and some gardening. Most of all, Margie held dear and loved life, her family, friends and especially her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James, a brother Richard Henry, a sister Delores Jorgensen, a daughter Cynthia Erickson, a son James E. Heeler, and a grandson Lance Bottom. She is survived by daughters Shelia Birch of Beloit, Ks., and Janice Heide of Smith Center, KS.; a sister Karen Houston of Cushing, OK.; 2 grandchildren Erin Erickson Hays of Chandler, AZ & Brandon Snow of Spokane, WA and 2 great grandchildren Jordan Bottom of Salina and Riley Ilene Snow of Spokane, WA.
Visitation will be held on Sunday March 7, 2021 from 5:00PM until 7:00PM at the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary in Smith Center, KS.
A Celebration of life service will be held at 11:00AM on Monday March 8, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Smith Center, KS.
Burial will be held at 2:00PM at the Elmwood Cemetery in Beloit, KS.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Smith Center United Methodist Church and/ or Smith Center American Legion cemetery flag & flagpole fund and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
The family would like to thank all of Margie's caregivers, and everyone for their prayers, calls, cards, and letters, throughout her illness in the last few years.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary of Smith Center, KS. www.simmons-rentschler.com
