Bernard “Bernie” Heits was born on August 11, 1943, to Will J. and Bessie (Voltmer) Heits in Nebraska City, Nebraska. He attended Star school in Holt County and graduated from Craig R-III in 1961. Bernie then attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, where he played football.

In July of 1962, he married Ann Trauernicht. On December 29, 1982, he married Sue Schomburg at the Rock Port United Methodist Church.

Bernie farmed in Atchison and Holt counties for 60 years. He was a devout Lutheran and loved to sing hymns. Bernie loved to visit, tell jokes, dance, and was never on time for anything. Bernie enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching old Western movies.

In the 70’s, Bernie earned his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying with friends and family. Bernie loved his family more than anything. His pride and joy was watching his children play sports, build their own families and careers, and most recently spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bernie served on the Fairfax R-III Board of Education, FSA Atchison County Committee, Missouri River Levee Board, and was an elder at St. John’s Lutheran Church and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

Bernie passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020, at Community Hospital-Fairfax in Fairfax, Missouri, at the age of 77.

Preceding him in death were his brothers, JC and Richard Heits; sisters, Melva (Monte) Schaufler and Shirley (Herbie) Quealy; brothers-in-law, Harold Vernon and Donald Phillips; and son-in-law, Terry Edwards. Survivors include his wife, Sue; children, Dana (Marc) Scarbrough, Matthew Heits, Janah (Shaun) Kent, and Tyler (Baleigh) Heits; grandchildren, Steven (Carly) Edwards, Laura (Tim) Mooney, Nicole Heits, Hattie and Grant Kent, and Turner Heits; great-grandsons,  Jaxon and Ryan Edwards and Cooper and Bodie Mooney; sister, Ramona Vernon Phillips; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sue (Mrs. JC) Heits, Shirley Bussard, Warren (Lyndia) Schomburg, Martin (Anita) Schomburg, Tony (Joan) Schomburg, and Allison (Leonard) Hallmark; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mound City, Missouri. Interment will be held at Tharp Cemetery, Craig, Missouri. Memorials may be directed to the Holy Trinity Building Fund. Care entrusted to Chamberlain Funeral Home, Rock Port.