Mary June (Bestgen) Hecht

Mary June Colette Theresa Bestgen Hecht, age 98, of Tipton, MO passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023, at her home.

It was on the 30th day of June in 1925, that Louis Andrew “Pop” and Clara (Dueber) Bestgen welcomed their daughter, Mary June, into their home on the farm in Cooper County.

She attended Glendale School in Cooper County and then St. Andrew Catholic Elementary School. She then transferred to Tipton High School, where she graduated.

On April 12, 1950, she was united in marriage to Vincent “Skipper” Peter Joseph Hecht at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tipton. He preceded her in death on February 10, 2001.

Mary June was a faithful member of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tipton, a member St. Andrew Ladies Alter Society, and sang in the choir. Serving her church was very important to her.

Thanksgiving was a very important holiday for Mary June because she was able to gather with her family and friends at the annual St. Andrew Thanksgiving Celebration. She also enjoyed her monthly family breakfasts and the annual Bestgen family reunion.

She worked at the Martin Manufacturing Company (Pants Factory) with her sister Catherine. Mary June also faithfully cared for her ailing mother. She then began working for Co-Mo Electric in Tipton from 1945 until 1990 when she retired.

Left to carry on Mary June’s legacy is her daughter, Melinda Elizabeth Peak of Centertown; a son, William “Bill” Hecht (Dr. Sandra) of Lenexa, KS; grandson, Robert Louis Hecht-Ren (Dr. Vanessa Ren); their children, Kallan Vincent and Tesla June all of Overland Park, KS; grandson, William Colin Hecht I (Hannah Marie); their children, William Colin II, Emerson Lee, Ashtyn Marie, and Declan June, all of Blue Springs, MO; her special friend and caretaker, Sarah Nolt; along with many nieces and nephews and friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Retired Major Thomas Peak; four brothers, Eugene, Cecil, Boniface “Bonnie”, and Martin Bestgen; three sisters, Virginia Schuster, Eleanor Knipp, and Catherine Lutz.

Prayers of the Holy Rosary will be recited at 9:00 am Saturday, December 9, 2023, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Tipton, MO with visitation following until 11:00 am. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am Saturday, December 9, 2023, at St. Andrew Catholic Church with Father Anthony Viviano, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Tipton, MO.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Andrew Catholic School, Tipton, MO or the Price James Library, Tipton, MO.

Services have been entrusted into the care of Meisenheimer-Page-Dady Funeral Home, Tipton, MO.