Wilbert Joseph Hefty
July 25, 1931 - March 3, 2026
MOUNT HOREB – Wilbert Joseph Hefty, age 94, passed away on March 3, 2026. He was born July 25, 1931, to Herman and Loretta (Haag) Hefty. Willie graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1949. He married Charlotte Virnig on June 18, 1955, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Cross Plains, Wis. They raised their family in Mount Horeb where they farmed for many years.
Willie was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council 10559 in Mount Horeb and earned his 4th-degree and served as Grand Knight for many years. He served as Commander and other officer positions in the American Legion Post 113. He also held officer positions in the Wisconsin Farmer's Union. Willie had strong faith and was an active member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Perry, his entire life. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. After serving four years, he returned to farming. In addition to farming, he worked for 27 years as a mail carrier at the Mount Horeb Post Office and then worked at Lands' End in Dodgeville and Premier Cooperative in Mount Horeb following his retirement as a mail carrier.
Willie enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, and gardening. He was an avid Packers, Badgers, and Brewers fan. When we heard him yodel, we knew he was having a good day. One of the highlights of his life was making the trip with the Badger Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. His greatest joy in life was his family.
Willie is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte, of 70 years; his children, Deb (Leo) Warren, Steve (Judy), Gary (Thea), Tom (Sue), Ron (Dulce), and Sandy (Greg) Droster; nephew, Alan (Marcia) Virnig; grandchildren, Tim (Krisa) Warren, Rob (Lauren) Warren, Amy (Ryan) Czyzewski, Chad (Janelle) Hefty, Kayla Hefty, Lance (Alyssa Aschaker) Hefty, Kristina (Tony) Anderson, Cody Hefty, Brandi (Danny Vogt) Hefty, Nate Hefty, Heidi Droster, Neil Droster, and Karlei Droster; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings, Angeline Kiley, Marilyn Karn, Rita (Ron Reuter) Sailing, Dianne (Joe) Donlin, and Ken (Monica Boutelle) Hefty; brother-in-law, Peter (Joyce Little) Virnig; and sisters-in-law, Rosemary (Dave) Ballweg and Pat Hefty.
He was preceded in death by his parents; great-granddaughter, Ava Czyzewski; and siblings and in-laws, Andy and Adella Buechner; Francis, Barbara, and Lawrence Hefty; Warren Sailing; Richard Karn; Kendall Kiley; James, Leona, Betty, Pug, Judy, Jerome, and Mary Virnig.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 109 S. Sixth St., Mount Horeb, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with Father Brian Dulli presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. Veterans Honor Guard will perform military rites at Calvary Cemetery following the Mass.
Memorials may be made to the Mount Horeb American Legion Post 113 or the Knights of Columbus Council 10559.
Special thanks to the staff at Noel Manor, Verona, and Agrace HospiceCare for their unwavering support and care.
Online condolences may be made at
www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077

Published by Madison.com on Mar. 8, 2026.