Charles Wayne Heffner

Charles Wayne Heffner passed away November 9, 2018 at home after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born November 23, 1940 to Charles and Louis Heffner in Shelby, North Carolina where he lived with his parents and his sister Patricia.

Wayne received his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University in 1964, shortly after graduating he joined the United States Air Force. Wayne was a Vietnam Veteran who served as a Navigator and Bombardier and flew over 200 missions in Vietnam. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Meritorious Service Medal, along with many other awards and accolades during his time of service. While serving in the military he met and married his loving wife Catherine Ann Tank in 1968. They celebrated 50 years of marriage this past March.

Wayne and the family moved to Merced, Ca. in the late 70’s when he was transferred to Castle Air Force Base. He also went to school at this time and earned his Master’s degree from the University of Southern California. He remained stationed at Castle until he retired as a Major of the US Air Force in 1984. After he retired from the Air Force he worked as a Farmers Insurance Agent for 15+ years before retiring from the workforce.

Wayne was a devout Father and spent most of his retirement taking care of his youngest son and volunteering as a Team Leader and coach with the Northern Ca Special Olympics. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge, Kiwanis, VFW, and American Legion Post 83. His hobbies included camping, fishing, gardening and golfing. You could find his on the golf course on a weekly basis. He loved sports and he spend many years as a youth sports coach and Cub Scout Leader for his boys when they were growing up. You could always catch him watching or listening to games of his favorite baseball and football teams, the Clemson Tigers, and the SF Giants and 49er’s. He also really enjoyed the times he was able to watch his granddaughters at their sporting events and competitions.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Louis Heffner. He is survived by his wife Catherine Ann Heffner of Merced, Ca; his sons, Michael Heffner (Tess) of Sacramento, Christopher Scott Heffner (Tatum) of Merced and Mark Heffner of Merced; his 5 grandchildren, Haylee, Rylee, Skyler and Addison Heffner, all of Merced and Von Heffner of Sacramento; his sister, Patricia Cashwell of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 19th from 4-8pm at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, located at 1490 B Street, Merced Ca. The memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, November 20th at 9am at Stratford Evans. The burial will take place at 1:30pm at San Joaquin National Memorial Cemetery in Santa Nella, Ca.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Northern Ca Special Olympics or the American Cancer Society. The Heffner family would like to thank Dr. Sugimoto, Dr. Sidhu, Hinds Hospice and Precision Home Health Care for their service, love and support they provided to their husband and father. Wayne will be missed by all who knew and loved him!