Verona Kathryn “Ronnie”, nee Dow, Hessick , 92, formerly of New Athens , IL, passed away on January 9, 2015 at her home in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born September 15, 1922 in Greeley, Iowa to Esther and Huse Dow.

She attended Greeley High School, Upper Iowa University, and the American Institute of Business in Des Moines. She played the clarinet in the band and sang in the choir.

As a young woman, she moved to Iowa City and worked at the Navy Pre-Flight Base, where she met and married Howard Hessick. They moved to Florida and eventually moved to New Athens, where they raised 4 children. She went on adventures and cruises around the country throughout her lifetime; she was a member of the Methodist Church, PTA President and a member of the Woman’s Club. She also worked at the New Athens Journal Press and was an American Legion Auxiliary Past President.

Ronnie was in several bridge groups, was an avid reader, and a gourmet cook. She enjoyed funny movies, roller coasters and walking 4 miles a day.

Ronnie was an extraordinary Mother, Wife, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Daughter and Mother-in-law. She was a person of honesty, integrity, faith and moral conviction. She loved her family deeply, and they loved her just as intensely.

Ronnie is preceded in death by her husband of sixty-seven years, Howard Hessick, a brother and sister-in-law, Victor and Arlene Dow, a sister and brother-in-law, Verlene and Don Mangels, brother-in-law, Richard Gilliland, brother-in-law, Bill Hentze, an infant daughter, Pamela Hessick, and a son, Scott Howard Hessick.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Gary) Spriggs of Las Vegas, a son, Michael (Joette) Hessick of Park City, UT, and daughter, Kimberly (Steve) Rumble of Lakeridge, VA, brother, Verne (Joanne) Dow of Topeka, KS, sister, Vivian Gilliland of Florida, and sister-in-law and lifelong friend, June Hentze of Greenville, Illinois.

Grandchildren surviving are Kristin (Jason Dionne) Hessick of Bountiful, UT, Michael (Isil) Hessick of Salt Lake City, UT, Mandi (Ned) Richmond of Washington D.C., and Zachary Rumble of Lakeridge, Virginia. She has 3 great grandchildren, Ozan and Arya Hessick and Tia Dionne.

Celebrate her life by doing an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness, or send a donation in her name to The American Diabetes Association.

Visitation: Friends may call at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL on Sunday, July 19, 2015 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Funeral: Memorial services will be held at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 3 p.m. Interment will be in Oakridge Cemetery in New Athens, IL

Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL is in charge of arrangements.

1. Administrator says:

   06/29/2018 at 10:19 pm

   I have MANY wonderful memories of my wonderful Aunt Verona. I remember being excited about her visits when I was as a child and going to her home as an adult. She was a beautiful woman both inside and out. I could sit and visit with her for hours about silly and serious “stuff”, play cards, and eat! What a wonderful woman!

   Posted by: Dawn Wayant – Topeka, KS – niece Jan 14, 2015

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2. Administrator says:

   06/29/2018 at 10:19 pm

   My sympathies to Kim and the rest of the family. The Hessicks lived down the street from us growing up in New Athens. She was always so nice to the kids that would visit. I remember cookies and lemonade on several occasions. God bless her and our memories of her.

   Posted by: Paul Nuernberger – Jefferson City, MO Jan 16, 2015

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3. Administrator says:

   06/29/2018 at 10:19 pm

   Ronnie was a neighbor of my parents, Lee and Leona Warren, all the years I was growing up. She was such a lovely lady and a wonderful neighbor and friend. I am thankful that we had the pleasure of knowing her and that my parents had such a wonderful neighbor. Our prayers are with the family. I know she was very loved and will be very missed.

   Posted by: Dixie Lee (Warren) Matthews – Rowlett,, TX Jan 17, 2015

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4. Administrator says:

   06/29/2018 at 10:19 pm

   Ronnie….I will always remember the fun trips to Crazy Joe’s Cat Fish House at Kinkaid Lake…Happy Trails to you…
   Larry Page…

   Posted by: Larry Page – BALLWIN, MO – a good friend.. Jan 17, 2015

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5. Administrator says:

   06/29/2018 at 10:19 pm

   Ronnie has been a friend and we enjoyed choir time, Bible Studies and keeping in touch after she moved from New Athens and again, beautiful inside as well as outside. Such special times in our lives !! A friend is never really gone.

   Posted by: Dorothy Hacker – New Athens, IL – friend Jan 17, 2015

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6. Administrator says:

   06/29/2018 at 10:18 pm

   Ronnie was always happy and nice to everyone around. Spent a lot of time at her house with Kathy, classmate and friend. Many great memories of that time. She was not only a neighbor across the alley, but a friend to my mother. She will be missed.

   Posted by: Don Woodward – Fairview Heights, IL – Neighbor Jan 17, 2015

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7. Administrator says:

   06/29/2018 at 10:18 pm

   I remember Ronnie as a lovely, friendly neighbor as I was growing up.
   Sorry for your loss.
   Marilyn

   Posted by: Marilyn Glaus-Smithson Jan 19, 2015

   Reply