Charles “Chuck” Albert Heese, 87, of Parkville, Missouri, and parishioner of St. Therese Catholic Church passed away on Thursday, August 19, 2021 after a brief stay at NorthCare Hospice House. Chuck was born December 2, 1933 in Earling, Iowa to Marcus “Mac” Valerius and Pauline Lenora (Walker) Heese.
Chuck is a veteran of the United States Air Force joining at the age of 17 and proudly serving his country for two years during the Korean Conflict before a hardship discharge to take care of his mother and younger sister due to his father’s illness and death. In 1958, he graduated from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and majored in accounting.
On August 28, 1954, Chuck was united in marriage to Marita Helen Buman at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Portsmouth, IA. From this union they had five children: Terry, Julie, Jim, Bob and Jennifer.
After graduating from Creighton, Chuck moved his family to Kansas City, Missouri, to work for the Federal Government.
Chuck began his career as an auditor with the General Accounting Office (GAO) Kansas City Region on June 9, 1958 and retired December 30, 1989. Throughout his career, Chuck demonstrated exceptional leadership in supervising and training staff in the development of evidence necessary to support audit issues. He had a diversified and illustrious career, involving audits of government procedures, programs, and activities including the audit of defense contractors, evaluations of Medicaid and Medicare issues in the Health area, and financial management reviews in various government agencies and the military services.
Chuck also led in professional leadership positions. He is a past President of the Kansas City Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants, and past Regional Vice-President of AGA. In addition, he served on various Federal Executive Board committees.
Chuck was a devout Catholic and long-time member of St. Therese Church and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed fishing and watching sports, especially the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, Iowa Hawkeyes and Creighton Bluejays basketball. He was an assistant coach for SPCAA and Clay-Platte baseball teams. He enjoyed watching war movies and idolized the WWII heroes from his home town in Earling, IA. He loved all music especially Herb Albert & the Tijuana Brass Band, Ray Price, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and music from the Big Band era. He was kindhearted and a true gentleman. He was a loyal and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant brothers, Jim and Mark Heese, and one son, Charles “Terry” Terrence Heese. Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Marita Helen Heese; four children: Julia Pauline (Heese) Cloud of Kansas City, MO; James “Jim” Marcus Heese (Kathryn) of St. Louis, MO; Robert “Bob’ Charles Heese (Stephanie) of Platte City, MO; Jennifer Claire Heese of Parkville, MO; seven grandchildren: Robert James Cloud; Mark Downing-Heese; Alexander James Heese; Jacob Robert Heese; Jessica Ann Heese; Kaitlynn Joanne Heese; Benjamin Stephen Heese; and a sister, Donna Jean Jauron (Dave) of Essex, IA.
All services will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at St. Therese Catholic Church 7207 NW Highway 9, Kansas City, MO 64152. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the Funeral Mass commencing at 11:00 a.m. Committal service and entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Little Sisters of the Poor or St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Therese.
The amount of patience Chuck had and the love for life was felt within any moment of being near him. I was blessed to know him and through Christ we will see each other again. I love his family and they are the best versions of him. I’m so sorry that this type of sorry is pressed on any person. Remembrance of God is good all the time is what we all believe. My sincere condolences, but as I know words are never enoug. That’s why we have God.
My prayers are sincerely with the whole family at this time. May God hold your family’s hand tightly with love and peace, while he leads Chuck home.
Sorry fir your loss. I worked with Chuck for over 20 years and enjoyed working with him. He always was so thoughtful and kind. I have great memories of him. Praying for comfort during these trying times.
To the Heese family. I was the GAO regional manager for several years and all my interactions with Chuck were wonderful. Truely a gentleman. I know he will be missed.
I worked with Chuck at GAO for over 20 years. He was truly a great person and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
To the family, may God grant you comfort, strength and peace in the days to come. Chuck was a great person to work with, I loved his humor! God bless you and keep you.
Chuck was kind and so considerate as an associate during the many years I worked with him at GAO. God bless the family and friends during this loss. May all be comforted with God’s grace, peace and love.
Thinking you your and your family.
Tiffany and Steve Speake
My prayers are with you and your family
My prayers are with you and your family
Chuck was a valued friend for more than 40 years. The many Christmas Eves we spent with he and his family are cherished memories. His sense of humor was delightful; he was a great father and husband and grandfather. Rest in peace, Chuck. We will miss you.
My heart goes out to you Jennifer, and your entire family. Thinking of you…
Jennifer, my heart is with you during this sorrowful time. I enjoyed knowing your family and we were always made very welcome by your mom and dad. I will have a candle lit on his funeral day. Words cannot express the loss that you are going through now n in the future, you were so close to your dad. Thoughts prayers n a burning candle will be with you, your mom and your siblings. Love you and again sorry for your loss.
My family lived next door to Chuck and Marita for 23 years. We had many fond memories and a few tears. Keeping the family in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim and family, I just saw this. Sorry to hear of your father’s loss. My condolences, thoughts and prayers to you and your family.