Patricia Mae Pier Heberling entered Heaven's gates on May 2, 2026 surrounded by her family after 91 blessed years earthside. Born in Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania on May 8, 1934, to Howard Pier, Sr. and Ruby Mae Sturtivant, Patricia was their fourth child. She, Howard Jr., Robert, Jeanne, and Jimmy completed the Pier family. After she graduated from Lawrence Park High School in 1952, Patricia attended Nyack Bible College where she studied to become a secretary.

During her time in North Carolina, Patricia had three children: Mardi, Ken, and David.Her family returned to Pennsylvania in 1974. There, Patricia cleaned executive offices and worked as a school bus aide. She resided in Pennsylvania until 1997 when she moved to Knob Noster, Missouri at her grandchildren's request to live with them, her daughter, and son-in-law, Rick.

Throughout her time in Missouri, Patricia loved spending time with her family and neighborhood friends. She enjoyed baking, gardening, reading, watching the B-2, and doing crossword puzzles while eating pretzels. More than anything, Patricia loved Jesus. She enjoyed spending many Sunday mornings at Grover Park Baptist Church, where she was a member for several years, attending Sunday School and worship. Her faith guided her whole life, and she dearly loved sharing the gospel with everyone she talked with. Her family often noticed Patricia's "direct line" to Jesus. Sometimes her "direct line" opened a front-row parking pace at Walmart. Other times, it helped discern Jesus' guidance and wisdom to navigate life. It often seemed as if she heard His answers quicker than most, but we know that was a testament of her faith. She'd remind us all that we have the same line of communication with Him as she did.

Upon entering Heaven's gates, Patricia knew she would be met by her parents, her sister, two of her brothers, her brother-in-law Eugene (Gene) Palmer, and her three sisters-in-law, Rose Pier, Margaret Pier, and Sue Ann Pier.

Those left to cherish her memory are her brother James Pier of Pennsylvania; her daughter Mardi Ellis and her husband, Rick, of Warrensburg; her son Ken Heberling and his wife, Kim, of Pennsylvania; her son David Heberling of Pennsylvania; her granddaughter Shari Harrington and her husband, Justin, of Knob Noster; her grandson Erik Lindquist and his wife, Kaci, of Knob Noster; her granddaughter Courtney Bethel of Pennsylvania; and her granddaughter, Kasey Bethel of Pennsylvania. Her legacy also includes seven great-grandchildren: Liam, Emma, Duke, Veda, Calie, Brooklynn, and Saylor.

In her final days, Patricia found great comfort in her Bible, even reciting her favorite verses with her family. Her favorite verse was Romans 8:38-39, which reads, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." She also found comfort in singing "Jesus Loves Me" and "Old Rugged Cross" with her family.

In Patricia's final days, Donna and Phil Lawhon selflessly took exceptional care of her, and for that, Patricia's family is eternally grateful.

Patricia's celebration of life is Saturday, May 9 at Northside Christian Church in Warrensburg. Her family will receive visitors at 1 p.m., and the service will begin at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Patricia's family asks that donations be made in her memory to Good Shepherd Hospice or Johnson County Community Health Services.