Ernest Jr. Heitschmidt, 83, a longtime Guymon resident, beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend, passed away late Monday, December 14, 2015 at Memorial Hospital of Texas County.

Ernie was born June 12, 1932 to Ernest Otto Heitschmidt and Milbrue Paget Heitschmidt in Waldo, Kansas. Young Ernie or "Bud", as many knew him, graduated from Codell High School (1951) and later earned a B.S. in Animal Husbandry from Kansas State University (1955). He competed on the distinguished 1954 KSU Livestock Judging Team and the 1955 KSU Wool Judging Team. Most importantly, K-State was where he met and later married his soulmate, Beth El Waters, of St. Francis, KS. They were blessed with 53 years of married life.

Ernie's professional career reflected his passion for the cattle industry and it's people. He worked many years as a highly respected cattle buyer for Swift and Co. He cultivated many wonderful friendships, both professional and personal, that have stood the test of time. Also, his deep knowledge of the cattle industry helped others who would call upon him for advice. Personally, Ernie just loved people. Many will remember him for his quick wit, avid card playing, banana nut bread, garden tomatoes, greeting cards and good listening ear. He purposely worked at putting others at ease. Whether you were his own grandchild or someone else's, you knew that you had gained a true and loyal fan. Along with Beth, he enjoyed rooting from the sidelines at music recitals, sporting events and junior livestock shows or getting in the thick of things and helping out. Ernie had been a member of his hometown Masonic lodge for 63 years.

Ernie is preceded in death by his parents (Ernest and Milbrue), his wife (Beth) and his sister (Corinne).

He is survived by his sister (Dorine), brother-in-law (Jerry and wife Janice), sister-in-law (Cathy and husband Chuck); his children: Teresa (Beny), Steven (Rannette), Lori (Mike) and Roy (Diane); his grandchildren: James Daniel (Johnelle), Alyssa Ann, Eric, Emily, Ryan, Brett and Ryan and ten closely held nieces, nephews and their families.

Services will be held Saturday, December 19, 1:00 PM at Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, 523 N Roosevelt, Guymon.

Interment of cremains will be in Elmhurst Cemetery, Guymon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Texas County Junior Livestock Show (benefiting the Beth El Waters Heitschmidt Scholarship) or Meals on Wheels. Please send to Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.

"Do not be saddened in the Death, but Rejoice in the Life."

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