Stella L. Heckart

This scholarship is established by Sue Heckart of Sedalia, Missouri, in memory of her mother, Stella L. Heckart, in support of a State Fair Community College instrumental music student.

Del and Stella Heckart, along with their daughter, Sue, moved to Sedalia in June of 1948 from Topeka, Kansas, after investing their life savings in the purchase of the Gillespie Funeral Home. The Heckart family witnessed many changes in Sedalia including the formation and establishment of State Fair Community College and major renovations to their funeral home. In later years, the funeral home was renamed Heckart Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Stella L. Heckart was a piano music major in college having graduated form Missouri Wesleyan College in the 1920’s. She completed her Senior Piano Recital as a junior. After college, Stella continued to practice daily on her piano and shared her piano talents with the local music club, nursing homes, and the local Broadway Presbyterian Church up until the age of 93. When the Broadway Presbyterian Church renovated their sanctuary, they approached Stella and inquired if she would be interested in purchasing a new grand piano for the church. She told them no, but that she would consider giving them her Steinway grand piano upon her death. Her beloved Steinway piano could not go out the front door before she did! She loved her Steinway piano as much as she loved her only daughter, Sue.