Merril Heise

Merril Gene Heise, 72, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born Feb. 19, 1932, in Cape Girardeau, son of Wilson and Hilda M. Grebing Heise. He and Shirley J. Haertling were married Aug. 15, 1954, at Jackson.

Heise was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the Army. He was a member of VFW Post 3838 and the American Legion Post 63. He worked for Southwestern Bell for 33 years, retiring in 1982, and was founder of M&S Sportman Club. Heise was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Egypt Mills.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley J. Heise; three daughters, Diana K. Gregory, Nancy J. Compas and Kristy A. Smith, all of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Johnny L. Heise and Kenneth G. Heise, both of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, Leonard Heise of Cape Girardeau and Wilson "Butch" Heise Jr. of Whitewater; two sisters, Dorothy Seabaugh and Betty Sims, both of Cape Girardeau; 14 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet F. Heise, on Dec. 27, 1962.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. The Revs. Mark Martin and Kevin Olson will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Cape Girardeau. Full military rites provided by VFW Post 3838 and Missouri Honor Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Egypt Mills building fund or American Diabetes Association.