Details of Hearnes state funeral at Capitol, service in Charleston released

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The late Warren E. Hearnes, 46th governor of Missouri from 1965 to 1973, will be honored in a state funeral Wednesday at the Missouri State Capitol and return for the final time to Southeast Missouri for a Friday funeral.

Gov. Jay Nixon ordered flags statewide to be flown at half-staff to honor the Charleston, Mo., Democrat. Hearnes will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, when a memorial service will be held with Gov. Jay Nixon scheduled to preside.

In Charleston, visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church, 301 S. Main St. A funeral will be held at the church beginning at 11 a.m. Friday with Nixon again scheduled to speak.

Interviews with family friends, Democratic Party political allies and colleagues as well as those who opposed Hearnes at election times provided depth to a political career that began with a local triumph in a 1950 Missouri House race and ended with a disappointing defeat as he sought election as a circuit judge.

Remembrances

Many other elected officials released statements of remembrance and condolences for the family.

In his statement, Nixon called Hearnes "one of Missouri's true 20th Century statesmen." Nixon recalled Hearnes' contributions to mental health care, public school funding and civil rights. "Warren Hearnes was a man who got things done -- as Majority Floor Leader, as Secretary of State, and as Governor -- and Missouri is a better place because he answered the call to a life of public service," Nixon said in part. "Georganne and I are keeping the Hearnes family, especially his wife, former First Lady Betty Hearnes, in our thoughts and prayers. Over the next few days, my staff and I will be working with the Hearnes family to ensure Gov. Hearnes is given appropriate honors by the State of Missouri."

Similar statements were issued by former governor Matt Blunt, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, all Republicans. U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, a Republican who succeeded Hearnes as governor, also issued a statement and remembered Hearnes in an interview late last week.

Hearnes made sure the transition went smoothly, Bond said Thursday.

"I have the highest respect for him," Bond said. "He and I were political opponents, but after the election he was the finest gentleman."

Hearnes left a legacy of bipartisanship and dedication to public service, Bond said in a statement issued by his office.

Impressed from start

Cathryn Adams, who was Hearnes' personal secretary from 1955 to 1973, said she was impressed with him from the beginning. Adams, a Cape Girardeau native, was the secretary for Rep. Arthur C. Magill of Cape Girardeau at the time.

"He was a very intense young man and very political," Adams said. "He was very good in the legislature, and he knew how to get things passed."

State Rep. Steve Hodges, D-East Prairie, Mo., now holds the seat that was Hearnes' springboard to higher office. "He was quite a man," Hodges said. "He was just very to the point. He didn't like to deal with excess or be frivolous."

Hearnes had a way of enlisting loyal followers who remained faithful over the years. He met Gene Walsh, a St. Louis County lawyer, in 1953 when Walsh joined the Missouri House. In 1965, Walsh and about a dozen supporters ran Hearnes' campaign in St. Louis County and Walsh went to Jefferson City as the governor's legal assistant. Walsh said he intended to hold the job for six months; he stayed for 20.

"It was an interesting time," Walsh said. "Hearnes was an interesting fellow, and he wanted to do so much good it was a joy to be around him."

Political career

One of the Hearnes family's closest friends, Gracia Backer of New Bloomfield, Mo., said one of her earliest memories is of her father supporting the maverick Hearnes in the 1964 primary. That was a dangerous choice, Backer noted, because most state jobs were political patronage and her father worked in state government. "In those days, if you didn't support the right candidate, you would be fired."

Gracia Backer has a political career that made her the first woman to be majority floor leader in the Missouri House. In 1988, she managed Betty Hearnes' unsuccessful bid for governor. Today she is director of the Division of Employment Security.

She and Betty Hearnes became friends in the Missouri House, and Backer said Betty Hearnes helped her understand the virtues of political loyalty. "The one thing that Betty taught me and that is my mantra, 'you dance with the ones who brought you,'" Backer said. "I learned that."

In his statement, Kinder, who defeated Betty Hearnes in a 1992 Missouri Senate race, said in a statement that he was "deeply saddened by the passing of Gov. Hearnes. Gov. Hearnes' legacy of public service will forever be an inspiration to us all."

'Cared deeply'

Other statements were similar in their praise for Hearnes.

"Governor Hearnes was a delightful man and I enjoyed the opportunities I had to spend time with him," Matt Blunt said. "I last saw him at a reception we hosted at the [governor's] Mansion for [him] and some of his former staff members. He was in a weakened state, but nothing could hide his strong spirit."

In his statement, Roy Blunt also lauded Hearnes for public service. "He cared deeply about people and was a great friend to many," Blunt said. "I always enjoyed talking to him and benefited from his understanding of our state. My thoughts and prayers are with Betty and their family."

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the First Baptist Church of Charleston building fund. The address is 301 S. Main St., Charleston, MO 63834. Condolences may be expressed online at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

301 S. Main St., Charleston, MO

201 W. Capitol Ave., Jefferson City, MO