Rodney Heckman

Funeral services for Rodney F. Heckman, age 91 years, of St. James will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday September 29, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church at South Branch. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Sunday at Zaharia Family Funeral Home in Truman and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Rodney was born September 22, 1922 in South Branch Township, Watonwan County, MN, the son of Emil & Alma (Stradtman) Heckman. He was raised and educated at South Branch and entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943. He returned from the service in 1945 and was soon married to Delores Heine on March 1, 1946 in South Branch, where the couple farmed for 20 years. In 1967 Rodney became the Watonwan Co. Veterans Service Officer, a position held until his retirement in the late 1980's. He was a very active member of the American Legion, serving as Second District Commander 1975-76 and also Post 561 Commander. Rodney was a long time member of Post 561 Drill Squad. He was also a member of Voiture 281 of 40/8 serving as Grand Chef De Gare in 1986. Following Delores' death in 1989, Rodney was later married to Darlene Smith. Rodney is survived by his wife, Darlene Heckman of St. James, his children: Nita (Chuck) Dobson of Fairmont, Wanda Heckman of Jackson, Lynette (Doug) Motz of Erhand, MN, Michael (Karen) Heckman of Redding, CA, along with Darlene's children: Lynn (Deb) Smith, Debra (Jerry) Langford & Gwen (Gary) Borchardt. Also surviving are his brother-in-law, Harold Zoeller of Foreston, sister-in-law, Jean Heine of Lewisville, eleven grandchildren, many great grandchildren and one great great grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Delores, brothers, George & Lloyd and sisters, Gladys & Joyce.