Neal Heckmann, 74, of Oelwein passed away on Sunday March 27, 2016 at his home with his family by his side. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Friday April 8th, 2016 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. Memorial services will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday April 9th, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Neal Edward Heckmann was born on October 25, 1941 in Postville to parents Arbie and Inez (Steiert) Heckmann. He grew up in the area and graduated from the Postville High School in 1960. Neal was united in marriage to Karen Rose Kobriger on February 3, 1962 in Ossian. He worked for Transco in Oelwein for awhile and then at John Deere in Waterloo where he work for 30 years, until his retirement. Neal enjoyed playing cards, woodworking, craft shows, Karen’s flower garden, square dancing and bird watching, especially eagles, but his greatest enjoyment was his family. Neal will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.
Left to celebrate Neal’s life is his wife Karen; his three sons: Scott Edward Heckmann of Casa Grande, AZ, Kevin Neal (Lynn) Heckmann of Shellsburg and Douglas Louis (Jessica) Heckmann of Urbana; his daughter April Dawn (Chris) Graves of Rochester, MN; eight grandchildren: Spring, Autumn, Shania, Kevin II, Melanie, Ethan, Kaitlin and Lucy; his siblings: Don (Jeanie) Heckmann of Andice, TX, Ann Rose Heckmann of Waterloo, Les (Sherril) Heckmann of Mt. Home, AR, Twila (Dave) Haviland of Des Moines, Stanley Heckmann of Willington, CO and Vicky Sue Ney of West Union; his many nieces and nephews; and his four legged grandkids, Sadie, Chase, Skip, Stella, Shasta, Sheba, Peaches and Corabell.
He was preceded by his parents Arbie and Inez; four brothers: Robert, John, Gary and Allan Heckmann; and two sisters: Jean Schultz and Zeta Heckmann and a great granddaughter.
