Michael “Mike” Heggemann, 83, passed away on June 5, 2026, surrounded by the love of the family that meant everything to him.
Born on June 30, 1942, to Sylvan “Bud” Heggemann and Marie Heggemann (Rager), Mike grew up in south St. Louis and spent nearly 60 years as a resident of Affton. An only child, he enjoyed spending summers on his family’s dairy farm in Benbush, in what is now the Old Farm Estates neighborhood of Creve Coeur. It was there that he learned an important life lesson: don’t milk the bull.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie Lee Heggemann (Schulte), with whom he shared nearly 60 years of marriage. He is also survived by his son, Michael G. Heggemann and daughter-in-law, Juliette (Cabanas); his daughter, Jennifer Heggemann and son-in-law, Benjamin Ansehl; and his treasured granddaughter, Adeline, who brought him endless joy.
A lifelong learner and educator, Mike graduated from Saint Louis University, earned his teaching credentials from Harris-Stowe Teachers College, and later completed a master’s degree at Webster University. He spent 37 years teaching at Rosary High School before retiring in 2003. Over the course of his career, he taught everything from history and geography to photography and computer science.
Teaching was only one expression of Mike’s curiosity. He was an avid reader who rarely went anywhere without a book or, later, a Kindle. He loved photography and briefly operated a wedding photography business early in his teaching career. He brought joy to his wife by making photo albums of their family and dogs. He also enjoyed target shooting, staying informed about current events, and keeping up with the latest political news.
Though he had many interests, Mike’s greatest joy was his family. Kind, gentle, and fiercely devoted, he loved spending time with Bonnie, Michael, Jennifer, and Adeline. He looked forward to weekly lunch dates with his son and never missed an opportunity to brag about his children, whom he considered not only successful but, more importantly, good people. His family was small, but it was the center of his world.
Mike often jokingly accused his daughter of turning him into a feminist and a liberal—and admitted that he rather liked it. He believed immigrants, feminists, libraries, books, and education were among the things that made America great. He also thought he had the best neighbors anyone could ask for.
Mike was also a devoted animal lover and lifelong dog parent. There was rarely a time when a dog was not part of the household. He spoiled every one of them shamelessly and often joked that if reincarnation exists, he hoped to come back as one of his own dogs.
Near the end of his life, Mike acknowledged only two regrets: he would not get to watch his granddaughter grow up, and that bastard Trump would outlive him.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Mike’s life on June 30, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63123. In honor of Mike, guests are encouraged to wear blue jeans and t-shirts. If the weather is cool, a plaid flannel shirt would be especially appropriate. Suspenders would also be a nice touch.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to one of Mike’s favorite charitable causes, Stray Rescue of St. Louis or Operation Food Search.
Mike was the best Brother-in-law a person could want. He was always smiling and joking. He was more like a Brother and always answered my questions without hesitation. He was a bad Monopoly player…he would come to Mom and Dad’s house when he was dating my Sister and challenge me to a game of Monopoly almost every evening for a month, and he never did win. He more than made up for me beating him when he would challenge me to Chess…he always won except for the time I finished reading Bobby Fisher’s book I still don’t know if I actually won or he let me win. I will miss him more than he can ever know. I Loved you , respected you immensely and enjoyed our conversations. I hope you can get Bob to talk to you about History and the Civil Was and go fishing with him and Bobby up in Heaven. Your Little Sister(in-law),Barb