Robert E. Heifner

Robert Eugene "Bob" Heifner, 77, owner and operator of Heifner Nursery of Topeka, quietly passed from this life on Wednesday evening, July 6, 2005, at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center with family and friends by his side. He was born July 5, 1928, in Thomas Hill, Mo., the third child of Isaac Aud Elmont Heifner and Willie Mae Farris Heifner. Raised in and around Moberly, Mo., Mr. Heifner was the valedictorian of his high school class but gave up the honor to a fellow classmate. He moved to Topeka in 1946 to work at Sarber Nursery on S.W. 10th Street. Fulfilling a dream, in 1952 he bought 3 acres of ground on Rural Route No. 8 (now S.W. 6th and Fairlawn) and married his sweetheart, Justine Inez Haubold; a wedding which was delayed until Aug. 8, 1952, due to The Flood of '51. A small greenhouse was built to propagate evergreens for planting and by 1959 the property was planted with the evergreens ready for sale which were later dug, balled and wrapped in burlap at night, and sold wholesale. On July 1, 1964, Heifner Nursery and Garden center was opened at its present location, 4707 S.W. 6th St. Mr. Heifner served as past president of the Western Association of Nurserymen, governor from Kansas to the American Association of Nurserymen, served on the board of directors of Meade Park Garden Center of Topeka, The Topeka Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau of NE Kansas and three times as chairman of deacons at First Southern Baptist Church, where he served the Lord for 57 years. He originated the Kansas Garden Show and was chairman and organizer since 1976. Mr. Heifner was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Howard Heifner; a sister, Helen Johnson; and a son-in-law, Robert "RJ" Long. He is survived by his wife, Justine; daughter, Brenda Long-Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers; granddaughter, Kelly Long, and grandson, Charley Long, both of Lee's Summit Mo.; son, Darrell Eugene Heifner, Topeka, and son and daughter in-law, Leland and Melody Doole Heifner, Topeka. Mr. Heifner also is survived by friends and family around the world, at Heifner Nursery and First Southern Baptist Church. Mr. Heifner was cremated. A memorial service celebrating his life will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at First Southern Baptist Church in Topeka. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall. A memorial fund has been established for the "Eternal Impact" Building Fund at First Southern Baptist Church, 1912 SW Gage, 66604.

Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.penwellgabel.com.