Myrlene J. Heldenbrand, age 91, of Gallatin, MO, passed away Tuesday evening, July 23, 2024, at Cameron Regional Medical Center in Cameron, MO. Myrlene was born on September 8, 1932, the daughter of Arthur Raymond and Lena Viola (Green) Farr in rural Polo, MO. She was a 1950 graduate of New York High School and a devoted member of Gallatin First Baptist Church.
Myrlene married Wilburn Looney in March 1951, in rural Hamilton, MO, and they had two children. Wilburn passed away in 1968. In January 1975, she married Reuben Heldenbrand in Kidder, MO. Throughout her life, Myrlene and her husbands fostered numerous children, showing them love and care.
She worked as a bookkeeper at Lynch’s Super Market and for auctioneer Donald Bowman. Additionally, she served as the longtime secretary at the First Baptist Church of Gallatin. Myrlene and Reuben enjoyed traveling together to places such as Hawaii, the Bahamas, Spain, Africa, and various locations across the United States.
Myrlene was dedicated to serving others. She participated in mission trips to Haiti and Wyoming and taught Sunday School for many years, covering various age groups, including the Koinonia Class for young married couples. She also volunteered for Meals On Wheels and the Senior Center and served as a 4H leader. Gardening with Reuben was one of her favorite pastimes.
Myrlene will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Wilburn in 1968 and Reuben in 2010; and her grandchild, Andrew Hood. Survivors include her children, Renee Hood (Ron) of Gallatin, MO, and David Looney (Shawna) of Cabot, AR; stepsons, Raymond Heldenbrand (Susan) of Winston, MO, and Richard Heldenbrand; and grandchildren, Christina Williams (Shawn) of Elmo, MO, and Levi Looney of Beebe, AR.
In place of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Gallatin or the Active Aging Resource Center in care of the funeral home. A service celebrating Myrlene’s life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 27, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Gallatin. The family will receive friends one hour before the service, also at the church. Friends may call from 11 AM to 5 PM on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery in Polo, MO. Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Gallatin, MO. For more information, call (660) 663-2117.
