Franklin Heyka

ROSARY/VIGIL SERVICE WILL BE 6:00PM MONDAY, MAY 18 AT ST. EDWARDS CATHOLIC CHURCH, BELLEVILLE, KS.

MEMORIALS MAY BE MADE TO ST. EDWARD'S TREE PROJECT OR ST. JOSAPHAT'S CEMETERY FUND

Franklin Joseph Heyka, son of Joseph F. Heyka and Mary Ann Bartak-Heyka, was born in his parents' farmhouse in Freedom Township, Republic County, Kansas on April 9, 1936 and died on May 15, 2015 at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis, in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 79 years, 1 month and 6 days.  He graduated from Belleville High School, Belleville, Kansas in 1954. On June 18, 1955, he married Karen Jean Hubka and they divorced in 1978.  On June 14, 1980, he married Ruth Marie Fox Van Allen.  Franklin was baptized as a Catholic and has actively supported and devoted himself toward the betterment of the church and the local community.  He was a member of the: Knights of Columbus; Church Council; and Belleville Library Board; and was instrumental in efforts for church improvements including the St. Edwards Catholic Church tree project and improvements at St. Josaphat's Cemetery. Franklin loved rural life and farming from the homestead on which he was born.  After his semi-retirement to the nearby town of Belleville, he continued to work and partner on the farm with his son David right up to his death.  He will be greatly missed by friends and relatives in the local farming community. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary; step-mother Anna Strunc-Heyka, sister Lorene Heyka, stepson Tony Van Allen, stepdaughter Tammy Van Allen and step-grandson Alex J. Strnad,  Survivors include; wife Ruth Heyka; sons Michael Heyka and wife Kristi of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Mark Heyka of Missoula, Montana, and David Heyka and wife Janet of Belleville, Kansas; step children Cynthia Van Allen-Durbin and husband Brad of Emporia Kansas, Timothy Van Allen and wife Jeanette of BellaVista Arkansas, Thomas Van Allen of Wichita Kansas, and Teresa Van Allen-Rincon and husband William of Topek, Kansas; thirteen step-grandchildren; and 7 step-great-grandchildren; sisters JoAnn Bunten and husband William of Topeka, Kansas and Marlene Quartano and husband Joe of Orlando, Florida; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Belleville, Kansas with Father Brian Lager officiating.  Burial was in St. Josaphats Cemetery, near Belleville, Kansas.  Memorials may be made to the St. Edward’s Tree Project or St. Josaphat Cemetery Fund. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas assited the Heyka family with these arrangements.