Vera Mae Hetzer (103) of Wheeler

Vera Mae Hetzer, age 103, of Wheeler, Illinois, passed away at 1:15 AM - Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at Lutheran Care in Altamont, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating Vera’s life will be held at 10:00 AM – Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Wheeler, Illinois, with Pastor Dean Herberts officiating. The burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM – Friday, November 10, 2023, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. In loving memory of Vera, memorials may be made to St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lutheran Care or the Cross Foundation. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Vera Mae was born on May 8, 1920, in Jasper County, Illinois, the second child born to Lummis E. and Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Diel) Wallace. She grew up with 8 siblings on the family farm in rural Montrose, Illinois. She graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1938, and later attended Business College in Mattoon, Illinois. Vera worked as a secretary for the Jasper County Farm Bureau, where she met her future husband. She married Arlen Hetzer on June 6, 1943, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and he preceded her in death on February 25, 1989. Vera loved to work in her vegetable and flower gardens. She loved spending time with her family, friends and socializing with everyone. Vera enjoyed being a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wheeler, Illinois. She was active in her church holding several offices in the Ladies Aid and Lutheran Missionary League. Vera was a Charter member of Jasper County Homemakers Association and a member of Newton Woman’s Club.

Vera is survived by Son- Kent wife Linda of Wheeler, Illinois Grandchildren- Kimberly (Clinton) Burnell of Naperville, Illinois; Mark (Tami) Hetzer of Wheeler, Illinois; and Brian Hetzer of Chicago, Illinois Four Great Grandchildren - Eric Burnell, Caleb Burnell, Alexis Hetzer, Kayden Hetzer Sister – Luella Wells of Effingham, Illinois Brother-in-law - Jack Pierce of Mattoon, Illinois.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Kathryn Russell, Virginia Keigley, Ruby Lowry, Norma Grissamore, Ruth Pierce, brothers Donald Wallace and Russell Wallace.