Marlin “Skip” Heckman, 80, passed away on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Mishawaka, IN. He was born on October, 15, 1937 in Pennsylvania, to Marlin F. and Mary Ilane (Zonosky) Heckman, both of whom preceded him in death.
Skip is survived by his daughters, Kandy (John) Grzegorek of Galien, MI, and Constance (Robert) Parish of Mishawaka; son, Anthony Heckman of Mishawaka; eight grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; sister, Clara (Don) Conrad of Carrollton, PA; brother, John (Teressa) Zahornacky; and longtime companion, Kathy Ruff of Mishawaka. In addition to his parents, Skip was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Victoria Ferguson, and his sister, Carolyn Hancock.
Skip was employed as an electrician at Koontz-Wagner. He has been an area resident for the past 60 years. He loved bowling, traveling, gardening, and bird-watching. He built bird-houses, that he gave away as gifts. He loved football, especially the Indianapolis Colts. He enjoyed the companionship of his three fur babies: Spirit, Molly, and Cally. Both Cally and his dog, Buffy, preceded him in death. He enjoyed native American pow-wows.
Funeral services for Skip will be held at 12:00pm on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at Palmer Funeral Home—Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN. Rev. Steven Latzke will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in South Bend. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home from 6:00-8:00pm on Wednesday, April 25th and from 11:00am-12:00pm on Thursday prior to services.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Skip may be donated to The Meow Mission, P.O. Box 192, Mishawaka, IN 46546.
Online condolences may be left for the Heckman family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
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