Obituaries
Earl R. Heckel, Jr., 78
November 07, 2017
Earl R. Heckel, Jr., 78, died peacefully at his Penn TWP home on Tuesday, November 7, 2017. He was born in Lancaster to the late Earl R., Sr. and Beatrice Murse Heckel. Earl and his wife Barbara Folkeson Heckel celebrated 37 years of marriage on March 26th.
He graduated from Upper Leacock High School in 1957 and enjoyed attending the alumni reunions. Earl enlisted in the PA National Guard in 1955 and served until 1967, achieving the rank Sergeant.
Earl first worked for Henderson’s Umbrella Factory, next for Tire Consultants in Ephrata and then drove truck for Kerek Air Freight for 32 years. He then worked for Burnham Boiler and lastly ran the shipping department at K&M Manufacturing.
He was a member of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, American National Cane Club, National Wood Carvers Association and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He enjoyed reading, woodcarving and woodworking, telling tall tales and joking.
In addition to his loving wife Barbara, Earl is survived by four children, twin daughters, Debra, wife of James Vaccaro of Lititz and Diana, wife of Daniel Perich of Lititz, Kathleen, wife of Steve Brown of York and Matthew Heckel of Coatesville; several grandchildren and one great-grandson; seven siblings, Joyce Kelley, Ron Heckel, Sr., husband of Peggy, Lorrain Heckel, Carol, wife of Mel Jacoby, John Heckel husband of Paula, Scott Heckel, husband of Judy and Cheryn, wife of Brian Woerth; and his former wife Rose Miller Heckel and his standard poodle “EB”. Earl was preceded in death by his son Earl R. Heckel, III on June 16, 2017.
Service and interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Central PA, 900 S. Arlington Ave., Suite 134A, Harrisburg, PA 17109.
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Condolences to the Family
November 17, 2017
Nothing but good memories of Earl It has been a very long time but we will never forgert him. Rob and Andrew (Aesop) Hilt
November 17, 2017
Barb, I am so sorry for your loss. Time will ease your pain with wonderful memories. Sending a big hug to wrap around you. Friends Forever. Sandy
November 12, 2017
To Barb and Family. It’s been a long battle for him and the ones who loved him. I had the good fortune of meeting Earl on a bus trip to N.Y. I was the Bus Driver and I had no place to get something to eat . Well Earl opened his lunch and shared it with me. That’s the kind of man he was. That was about 48 years ago. Not long after that bus trip I started working for Kerek Air Freight. There was this kind man in front of me again.We became close friends, and the rest is history. I often wondered how my friend was doing. Now I know, Rest in peace my Brother that is in Heaven. Les & Gladys Wentz
November 10, 2017
So sorry to hear about Earl’s passing. He has been missed at the Cane Clubs monthly meetings. Will keep you in my prayers. Ann Reinfried