Stacy was 81 years of age. He was born in Alton, IL on July 26, 1942 to Everett Vincent Hegeman and Bernadine Maloney Hegeman of Wood River, IL. Stacy attended St. Bernards Catholic Elementary School in Wood River. He attended Wood River High School and graduated in 1960. Stacy went on to Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL, graduating in 1965 with a degree in Accounting and Business. While at Western, Stacy joined Theta Xi Fraternity where he made lifelong friends. After graduation and working for Main Lafrentz in St. Louis a couple years, he then moved to Phoenix with a good friend and fraternity brother for what was to be a year or two. Instead he met his future wife Verna Welker while in Phoenix, and they were married there in Phoenix in 1969. They made their home in Phoenix and would have been married for 55 years in June 2024.
Stacy and Verna were very active at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church. They started the core group for Marriage Encounter at the parish and made so many wonderful friends. They also worked with Diocesan Marriage Prep and Evenings For The Engaged among other various activities in their parish including chairing the annual Fall Festival. Later Stacy and Verna joined St. Jerome's Catholic Parish where they both enjoyed attending Mass and participating in the parish community. In Phoenix, Stacy worked for Dunn & Bradstreet for a few years. Later Stacy began working for the City of Phoenix in Sales Tax Audit. Eventually he transferred to Budget and Research and worked in that department until his retirement. He really enjoyed his time working for the City and made some great friends.
One of Stacy's most loved endeavors was his Genealogy work and searching his family history. He belonged to Phoenix Genealogical Society where he held various offices and made many friends. Another love Stacy and Verna shared was the years spent enjoying their many Basset Hounds which were like members of the family. They were very active in the Basset Hound community in the Phoenix area. Additionally Verna showed the bassets and traveled with friends to dog shows in other states.
Stacy was preceded in death by his parents, Verna's parents Vern and Martha Welker, brother-in-law Dale Elder as well as grandparents, and many other beloved family members. Stacy is survived by his wife of almost fifty-five years, Verna Welker Hegeman, beloved sisters, Mary Ann Hill (Denis) and Kathleen Elder (Dale deceased), nephew Sean Elder, nieces Jenifer Colligan, Stacie Mason, and Leslie Hill Armstrong and several great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at A.L. Moore - Grimshaw Mortuary, 710 W. Bethany Home Rd, Phoenix on Thursday December 28, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. A short prayer service will be held during the visitation at 2:30 followed by an opportunity to share memories of Stacy. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Jerome's Catholic Church (10815 N. 35th Avenue in Phoenix) on Friday, December 29 at 10:00 AM. 10815 N. 35th Avenue in Phoenix) on Friday, December 29 at 10:00 AM. Burial and a Graveside Service will follow the Funeral Service at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City at approximately 12:00PM. Stacy loved flowers. He also designated memorials to St. Jerome's Catholic Church and St. Jude's Children Hospital.
