Laverne M. Heyl

LaVerne Marie Heyl, 90, retired artist and independent business woman, passed away March 11, 2010 at Geary Community Hospital. Memorial services will be held at l p.m. Thursday, April 15, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Junction City. A reception will be held afterwards in the church parlor. A private burial will be held at Highland Cemetery following the reception. Penwell-Gabel Johnson Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with service arrangements. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the First United Methodist Church, 804 N. Jefferson Street, Junction City, Kansas 66441.

LaVerne, daughter of Roy and Ann Cooper, was born in Salina, Kansas April 21, 1919. Her paternal grandfather was a policeman for Junction City who was killed in the line of duty. Her family moved several times while she was growing up but moved permanently to Junction City in 1933. She graduated from Junction City High School in 1937.

LaVerne married Keith Heyl October 6, 1938 in the First Methodist Church in Junction City. They were married for 70 years and lived in the same house for over 68 years. They had a daughter, Penny and son, Andy.

She worked in the Kaw Theatre for many years and also helped manage the confectionary. She helped make the famous cinnamon candy that Keith's father created. LaVerne also managed many rental properties and was an Avon representative.

LaVerne was a wonderful seamstress, avid knitter, and beautiful china painter. She also was a charter member of The Double Four Bridge group and was still playing bridge a week before her death.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. LaVerne will be remembered for her strength of character, her creativity, and her love of family and friends.

Survivors include daughter, Penelope Moss (Max) of Wichita, KS; son Andrew Heyl (Dixie), Steamboat Springs, CO.; granddaughter Susan Byram Hayes (Dan) of Phoenixville, PA; granddaughter Heather Moss Kopecky (Paul) of Leawood, KS; granddaughter Allison Moss Meeds (Trenton) of Derby, KS; grandson Rob Kurtz of Basalt, CO; and granddaughter Sherri Jones (Ceri) of Steamboat Springs, CO.; and great grandchildren Erin and Caimin Hayes, Kyle and Faith Kopecky, Calvin and Gabrielle Meeds, Alexandra Kurtz and Dylan and Carys Jones. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Barbara Hoyle (Eldon) who live in Junction City, five nieces, one nephew; step brother Fred Beeler (Dianne) of Manhattan, KS,; and loving caretaker Vicki Hilterbrand of Junction City.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; sister Genevive Duffy and husband Ed; her parents, aunts, uncles and cousins; sister-in-law Chloris Killian and husband Howard and nephew Charles Killian.