Emogene Hecht

Emogene Hecht, 94, of St. Marys, died at 11:25 p.m. Monday, March 14, 2016, at the Laurels of Shane Hill nursing home near Rockford.

She was born January 16, 1922, in St. Marys, the daughter of Walter and Edith (Burkhart) Kettler, who both preceded her in death. On February 8, 1942, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in St. Marys, she married Carl Hecht, who died September 19, 1990.

Survivors include six children, Judith Sampson of Van Wert, Dr. Ralph (Susan) Hecht of Celina, Dennis (Deborah) Hecht of Rockford, Merrilee (Michael) Kleinhenz of St. Marys, Linda (Scott) Gephart of Covington, and Kermit (Alana) Hecht of St. Marys.

She is survived by 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and one stepgreat-grandchild. A sister-in-law, Roberta Kettler of Novato, California, also survives.

A brother, Walter Kettler; one sister-in-law, Esther Hecht; and a grandson, Gregory Hecht, also preceded her in death.

Emogene was a 1939 graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School. She was a homemaker and farm wife who loved spending time with her family, attending their sporting and social events.

She will be remembered as a very kind and appreciative woman, and as someone who gave her children every opportunity to succeed. She enjoyed crocheting and made afghans for all her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed putting jigsaw puzzles together. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in St. Marys.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at Zion Lutheran Church in St. Marys, the Rev. Bill Maki officiating. Burial will follow in Elk Grove Cemetery in St. Marys.

Visitation is from 2-8 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road in St. Marys, where memorial gifts may be given to Zion Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to Emogene’s family at http://millerfuneralhomes.net.