James HeiRonimus

SIKESTON — James Ross HeiRonimus Jr. (Jay Hei), age 92, died Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at his residence in Sikeston.

Jay was born in St. Louis on May 24, 1928, to John Ross and Laura Bell Howard HeiRonimus. Following graduation from Charleston High School, he received his education in business from Draughns Business College in Paducah. He returned to Southeast Missouri where he was co-owner of Courtesy Ford Company in Charleston until 1966. Then moving to Sikeston, he became General Manager of Sikeston Motor Company, a position he held until his retirement. A longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, he took pride in the care and maintenance of the church property and organized the Methodist Men’s golf tournament that provided funds for the church’s building and grounds. He, along with Woody Evans, Dick Powell and Jerry Dyer, implemented the “Candy Cane Lane,” a Sikeston Christmas tradition that was enjoyed for many years. Jay was a member of the Sikeston Country Club and an avid golfer, playing in several annual tournaments but particularly enjoyed the group of golfers that played together for “Bo’s Bar B Que” sponsored event. In recent years, he attended the Cape First Church in Sikeston.

In 1948 he married Ruby Orr, who preceded him in death. In 2000, he married Beverly Goodman Nall who survives of the home.

Also surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Linda HeiRonimus of Sikeston; one daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Mark Deane of Sikeston; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jessica and Logan Lemmons and their children, Parker, Cecelia, and Riley Lemmons all of Cape Girardeau; Kelly and Bart Ziegenhorn and their children, Harper and Corbin all of Sikeston; Matt and Kaci Deane and their children, Rebekah, Morgan, and Josephine all of Sikeston; Hunter and Savannah Deane of Sikeston; two stepdaughters, Tara Nall Brackman and her children Jordan and Ross of Boonville, and Amber Nall Carter of Sikeston; also his loving fur family, Charlie Brown and Woodstock.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Preferred Hospice group, especially Nancy, Margie, Terry, Sonny and Brock.

Visitation will be held at the McMikle Funeral Home, 403 N. Kingshighway, in Sikeston on Thursday, June 4, 2020, from 3:30 p.m. until the service hour at 6:30 p.m. Brock Thornsborough, chaplain with Preferred Hospice, will officiate and Jay’s grandchildren will present the eulogy.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

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The family requests memorial contributions may be given to the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or to Preferred Hospice, PO Box 99, Dexter, MO 63841.

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