Frederick Heckman

Heckman, Frederick
Of Kalamazoo Fred was born September 13, 1941, in Allegan, Michigan, son of William and Ruth Hending Heckman and passed away after a long illness at Rose Arbor with his family nearby. He loved county fairs especially Allegan County and worked there for several years as a ticket agent. Later in life he collected and constructed miniature carnivals and displayed them at every opportunity, especially at county fairs. Fred was a member of Allegan City and Cooper Township Fire Department and had a great love for fire trucks. He worked at True Heat in Allegan and at General Motors Comstock for 25 years, retiring in 1993. He also worked part time at Wal-Mart. Fred was a huge jokester and love playing pranks. In his retirement years Fred and his wife were owners and operators of Corner Stone House an AFC home and their true passion was Homestead and Shalom, Inc. They were former members of Allegan Methodist Church and current members of Haven Reformed Church. Fred and family were members of the NCHA Portabed Camping Group for many years. He was a 1962 graduate of Allegan High School and married his wife Cheryl Ellwood in December of 1964. Surviving are his wife, Cheryl; their daughter, Connie Adrian Burke of Portage; one granddaughter, Amanda McDonald of Kalamazoo; two great-granddaughters, Makiah and Briana of Kalamazoo; two sisters, Sally Ted McLaughlin of Allegan, Sandy Farrer of Allegan; two brothers, Bill Sharon of Allegan and Dan Mary Jo of Plainwell; many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Bob. A service to celebrate Fred's life will be held 11:00 AM Monday in the Great Room at Haven Reformed Church 5350 N. Sprinkle Rd with Pastor Keith Lohman officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4-6 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Home, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street and on Monday from 10-11 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rose Arbor Hospice Residence; Shalom Inc care for adults with disabilities; or American Diabetes Association. www.langelands.com