In the late 1920's William Drake built Drake Funeral Parlor to service the area’s family’s. He was an accomplished polo player who played on the local team, surely well liked by the community. He served the area’s family’s for twenty years until selling the funeral home to the Hopkins Family in the 1940’s.
The Hopkins built their home next to the Hopkins Mortuary and ran the business for the following twenty years. The funeral home also housed the local ambulance service from the late 1940's until the early 1990's. The upstairs of the funeral home held sleeping quarters for the ambulance crew and could offer 24 hour coverage. Prior to strict regulations, the ambulance crew would assist with all aspects of the funeral industry from removals to preparation of the deceased, to servicing the funerals and keeping the many vehicles in tip top condition.
Owners today, Monte and Kellie Heggie, purchased the funeral Home in September of 2005 from SCI, who ran the business for several years previous. Monte contacted SCI’s divestiture department inquiring if they had any locations for sale in Washington state. The gentleman stated that they had a location in the Tacoma area. Monte told them he was only interested in Eastern Washington where he desired to be. The gentleman responded to Monte that there may be a location in a small town south of Yakima. Knowing which location SCI owned, Monte was aware this was Colonial Funeral Home in Toppenish. A deal was consummated and Toppenish families are now serviced by the Heggie family and compassionate staff. Heggie’s Colonial Funeral Home has a reputation of celebrating your loved-one’s life with the best possible service.
Monte and Kellie Heggie were born in Omak, Washington and Baltimore, Maryland respectively. The couple were married in 1999. In September of 2005 they purchased Colonial Funeral Home from Service Corporation International of Houston, Texas. Monte graduated from Mt. Hood Community College with a degree in Funeral Service Education. Kellie is a dental assistant by trade and previously worked for Indian Health Service on the Colville Indian Reservation. She now enjoys her responsibilities at the funeral home. Monte and Kellie enjoy golfing together, traveling when time permits and spending time with their families. They truly enjoy Toppenish and are active in the Toppenish Mural Society, Toppenish Eagles, Mt. Adams Golf and Country Club and Toppenish Chamber of Commerce.
Jim was born in North Dakota and moved to Wapato in 1946 with his mother and 8 siblings. His father had died the previous year in North Dakota. Jim was educated in Wapato graduating in 1957. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964 and then attended Yakima Valley College for two years. He worked in Clarkston, Washington for two years in the funeral industry before returning to his hometown where he worked for over 40 years at Merritt Funeral Home. Jim was approached by Monte in September of 2005 to help at Colonial Funeral Home with the new purchase and he has been a true asset to the company. He is a member of the Community Presbyterian Church in Wapato where he is a deacon, Wapato Lions Club, Wapato American Legion and the Yakama Warriors Association. Jim always says “I am not done helping people in their time of need” and he exemplifies this fully.
Bob was born in Greeley, Colorado and moved to the Yakima Valley as a young man. He attended White Swan High School and furthered his education graduating from Yakima Valley College and Utah State University. Bob also served in the U.S. Army. He married Maurine Ellett in 1958. Bob taught school in Moniteau, Pennsylvania for two years and earned his Masters degree from Central Washington University. He also taught school in Toppenish for 32 years. From 1979 to 1984 he was Bishop of the Toppenish LDS Church. He coached football in Toppenish for many years and coached the 1989 state championship team. He retired from teaching in 1995 and served missions for the LDS Church from 1996 to 2002. He enjoys his five children, sixteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and volunteering for the Toppenish Mural Society and various church activities. He also raises a huge garden every year and keeps the home fires burning. Bob was approached by Monte in late 2007 about working at the funeral home and he has been a true asset, willing to help out wherever needed. We are very excited to start our relationship with Mr. Winters.
Julia was born in Mexico and moved to the Yakima Valley in 1963 with her family. She received her education in the Toppenish and Yakima School Districts. Julia worked for Colonial Funeral Home from 1995 to 2001 when it was corporate owned. In January of 2006 she approached Monte at a funeral and said “I miss my job and want my job back”. She started immediately and has not missed a beat. Julia enjoys her position at Heggie’s Colonial Funeral Home. She is very detail oriented and loves working with the families that we serve. Julia is a very valued employee at Colonial. She is the proud mother of four boys and loves being grandmother of two grandchildren.
Eddie was born in Texas and moved to the Yakima Valley in 1947 with his family. He received his education in Toppenish. Eddie was a supervisor for 35 years in the fruit business. He retired in 2007 and approached Monte about assisting with funerals. Eddie started in January of 2008. He is a member of the Toppenish Eagles, and the Granger Pentecostal Church. Eddie is an accomplished dancer and loves meeting new people. He is married to Amparo and they have two children. We are very happy and excited to have Eddie on board with Colonial Funeral Home.
Jim was raised and educated in Toppenish graduating from Toppenish High School in 1969. He worked for Colonial Funeral and Ambulance service starting in 1974 and then again from 1978 until 1992. Jim currently is a dispatcher with the local fire district. He has been married to his wife, Robbie since 1969. They enjoy camping and spending time with their grandchildren. Jim is also a volunteer firefighter for Toppenish City and Yakima County Fire District #5. He has a vast knowledge of Colonial Funeral Home and Toppenish's community. Mr. Glossen offers many services to Colonial Funeral Home, he makes removals from the place of death, works visitations and assists with maintenance projects. Jim is very mechanically inclined and has had a hand in making most of the improvements at Colonial over the years. He is a true team player that enjoys helping out his community and its families in their time of need. We are very happy to have Jim on our team here at Colonial.
Rocky & Thomas have become a part of our staff on a regular basis. They are always there to greet our families and have their own way of showing love and compassion. Their humble personalities bring a feeling of home to Colonial. Of course they always welcome a bit of attention from our families.