Anthony E. “Tony” Heideman, 86, of Corning, Kansas died Saturday, February 13, 2021, at the Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.

Tony was born on October 14, 1934 to Henry F. and Catherine C. Henry Heideman in Axtell, Kansas. Tony attended 1st Grade at Sacred Heart Grade School; the family moved to Kelly, and he attended school at St. Bede’s until 1947. The family moved to Corning and he completed his schooling and graduated from Coring Rural High School in 1953. As a young man he helped on the family farm and continued to help his father until he enlisted into the U.S. Army on October 5, 1955. He was attached to the Co D 25th Sig BN, and served a year, four months and 22 days overseas. Tony was discharged on August 27, 1957 with the rank of SP3 (T).

Tony married Anna Marie Krogman on June 28, 1958, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corning. Tony and Anna Marie bought their farm in 1961; where they lived and raised their family. Tony was a farmer and a stockman; operating a dairy for 43 years. He enjoyed helping his son, in raising cattle.

Tony taught CCD at St. Patrick’s for 14 years, was a Sacristan at St. Patrick’s Church from 1996 to 2020 and the sexton of cemetery for 50 plus years. He was a past School Board Member for USD 380 Centralia, served on Nemaha County COOP Board, was employed by the Nemaha County COOP in the elevator, and worked as a custodian at St. Patrick’s school and church.

Tony enjoyed woodworking, driving a school bus, cards, reading, puzzles, gardening and watching the grandchildren in their sports activities. He was a big sports fan and enjoyed watching and cheering for the KC Royals. He took great pride in keeping track of the burials, selling the plots and marking off the plots where new graves would be dug at St. Patrick’s cemetery for many years.

Tony was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corning, the Corning Fire Department for over 40 years, and a member the Arthur L. Mills Post # 37 of the American Legion firing squad. He served as the first Grand Knight, for the Knights of Columbus in Corning and was also District Knight in 2004, as well as a member of the Ponce De Leon 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus in Seneca.

Tony is survived by his wife Anna Marie; his children, Max Heideman of Havensville, Collete (Brian) Boeckman of Holton, Bruce (Jackie) Heideman of Corning, Todd (Jean) Heideman of Corning, Terry Heideman (Kathy) Heideman of Marysville, Tom (Barb) Heideman of Netawaka, Mary Kay (Tom) Schultejans of Goff, Dean (Kelly) Heideman of Corning, Connie (Jesse) Hutfles of Netawaka and Loren Heideman of Corning. He is also survived by his brothers, Bob (Eleanor) Heideman of Seneca, Gene (Marilyn) Heideman of Topeka and Ben Heideman of Corning; his sisters, Ann Gress of Seneca, Carolyn (Jerry) Osterhaus of Seneca and Rita (Buck) Reed of Topeka; a sister-in-law, Alice Heideman of Seneca; 32 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 A.M. on February 18, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corning. A rosary will be prayed at 9:30 A.M., prior to the Mass. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery. Memorial are for Nemaha County Training Center and or St. Patrick’s Church, sent in care of the family. Lauer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .