William Ernest Heser

William Ernest Heser, 87 of Salem, passed away at 2:24 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at his residence with his family at his side.  He was born on May 29, 1936 in Centralia, the son of Ernst J. and Winnie A. Kell Heser.  He married Jeanette Johnson on November 18, 1961 in Hoyleton and she passed away on March 30, 2021.  Also preceding him in death were his parents, brother- in-laws and a sister-in-law.  Left to mourn his passing are 2 sons; Dan Heser of Kell and Trent (Sheri) Heser of Salem.  A daughter Katherine (Jeff) Drenckpohl of Centralia.  10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, a brother-in- law Richard “Dick” Hargis of Centralia.  2 sister-in-laws; Georgianne Fulton and Brenda Johnson both of Centralia and several nieces and nephews.

Bill graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  He served in the United States Army Reserves.  He was a lifelong farmer and retired from the Centralia Post Office where he was a supervisor and had the nickname “Sid”.  He was a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and played the pedal steel guitar for years at Faith Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon.  He was a member of the Marion County Farm Bureau, Illinois Beef Association, National Rifle Association and the National Skeet Shooting Association.

A private visitation and funeral will be held at the Styninger Funeral and Cremation Chapel in Hoyleton with Rev. Darwin Schraeder officiating. Burial will follow in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Hoyleton

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