McCOOK, Nebraska -- Mary Virginia Horendeck, 96, passed away today (March 23, 2011), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

She was born Feb. 27, 1915, in McCook, the daughter of the late Robert Dillon and Viola (Ward) Austin. Mary was one of six children and grew up in McCook and graduated from McCook Senior High School in 1932. She also attended McCook Junior College in McCook. She began as a secretary in Lincoln, Nebraska .

On August 31, 1939, Mary married the Rev. Guy M. Heath in Lincoln and she worked in the evangelistic, pastoral and missionary fields. Her husband preceded her in death.

In 1964, Mary returned to secretarial work in California with North American Rockwell, and in 1972 she was employed with Burlington Northern Railroad in Denver, Colorado.

In Denver, she attended Calvary Temple. She married Clarence "Tex" Horendeck in Denver, and he also preceded her in death on Oct. 3, 1986.

She returned to McCook in 1984, and was a life member of First Assembly of God Church of McCook.

Mary had spent most of her life in McCook where she was an avid baseball fan and cheered the local ball teams. She was a favorite of the neighborhood children and would share Bible stories, singing and games with them.

She was preceded in death by brothers, Robert, Tom, and William Austin; and sisters, Agnes Bredesen and Frances Koudelka.

Mary is survived by her son, Dr. Guy Max Heath Jr. of Pensacola, Florida; two granddaughters, Charlotte Stephany Heath and Kimberly Kathleen Coleman; two great-granddaughters, Stephany K. Heath and Gracie Love Coleman; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral services are Friday 11 a.m., at Herrmann Memorial Chapel in McCook with Pastor Jamie Mockry officiating. Cremation will follow the service with inurnment in Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.