Galen Heckman

Galen E. “Gene” Heckman, 75, went home to be with his Lord on January 16, 2015 Born December 4, 1939 in Shippensburg PA he was the son of the late George Heckman Sr. and Katherine Railing Heckman.

Gene was a graduate of Shippensburg Area High School and enlisted in the US Army, where he served for 6 years, including an extended deployment in Heidelberg, Germany. He was proud of his service and often talked fondly of his days in the army, particularly his overseas deployment. After his active military service, Gene was employed for 35 years with the US Army as a civilian Quality Specialist at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg PA. He was well liked by his colleagues for his friendly demeanor and willingness to engage in conversation with everyone. He was also well respected for his hard work. He prided himself in always being the first person in the office to start the day before sunrise and make the coffee for his fellow employees. During the first Gulf War, he proudly worked 12 hour days, 7 days a week for several straight weeks to do his part to help the war effort. In retirement, Gene enjoyed relaxing at home, watching sports and spending time with friends and family. Up until his recent move to Masonic Village in Lancaster, Gene spent his entire life in Shippensburg and Chambersburg.

Gene is survived by his wife of 45 years, Maureen (West) Heckman, also of Masonic Village; their son Todd Heckman and wife Tracy of Lititz, PA, and their three school-age children Kyle, Alison and Michael. Gene is also survived by three children from a prior marriage: Terri Mellinger and husband Mel, their three children Jaime , Jeremy and Jessica, and six grandchildren; Kirt Heckman and wife Patty of Red Lion, PA; and Karl Heckman and wife Lori of East Prospect, PA, their son Blake, and one grandchild. He was one of 9 children: Twyla Perry of Shippenburg, PA; , Garnett Heckman and wife Carol of Newburg, PA; Gerald Heckman of Shippensburg, PA; Wanda Heckman of Shippensburg, PA; Geraldine McNew and husband Gary of Fayetteville, PA. He was preceded in death by three siblings: Chloe McKenrick; Gordon Heckman; and George Heckman, Jr. Gene will also be missed by his sister-in-law Barbara Thompson and husband Ron of Fayetteville, PA, and her son Robin Kauffman and wife Debbie of Chambersburg, PA, and her grand-daughter Nikki Naugle and husband Josh of Chambersburg PA, as well as many other friends and family members.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 19, 2015 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Chaplain Timothy A. Nickel will officiate. Interment will follow in Parklawns Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 11:30 - 1:00PM Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Gene’s memory to Hospice of Masonic Village, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA.