Edward Donald Heric

Don is preceded in death by a sister Margaret Koehler and a brother Theodore "Teddy" Heric.

Don is survived by Lucille Kleinhenz-Heric in Maria Stein, OH. From his first marriage to Kathryn, he is also survived by his three children: Steve Heric of Waukesha, WI, Denise Shattuck of Newport News, Virginia and Cinda O'Laughlin of Galesburg, MI, and eight (8) grandchildren " Sarah Johnson, Jacob Heric, Elya Banta, Joel Heric, Howard Shattuck, Chris O'Laughlin & Patrick O'Laughlin"along with their 8 great grand children: Clayton, Luke, Rosa, May, Elijah and Oliver. Don is also survived by eight children from his subsequent marriage to Lucille Kleinhenz: Steve Kleinhenz of Wilmington, Ohio, Sue Kleinhenz of Dallas, Texas, Dave Kleinhenz of Maria Stein, Ohio, Don Kleinhenz of Powell, Ohio, Joann Medlin of Dallas, Texas, Mary Herrera of Portland, OR, Sara Busse of Springboro, OH, and Fred Kleinhenz of Maria Stein, OH, together with their 15 step grandchildren: Craig, Heidi, Eric, Nichole, Emily, Konrad, Nathan, Sophia, Rachel, Aundrea, Brian, Jacob, Anna, Ella, Isabel, as well as two sisters-in-law Rita Heinl of Maria Stein, Ohio and Ruth Stammen of New Weston, Ohio.

Don was a member of St. Phillip Catholic Church in Battle Creek, MI, and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Maria Stein, OH. He was a veteran of the US Navy serving on the USS Gambier Bay during WWII until its sinking by enemy fire in the South Pacific. As a survivor of that event, Don was past President and participated actively in the USS Gambier CVE 73 VC 10 Association that meets annually at locations around the United States.

Don was a member of the Eagles Aerie #299 in Battle Creek, MI, charter member and past President of the Northside Snowmobile Club of Battle Creek, a member of the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) of Battle Creek, the Battle Creek Amateur Sports Association and the Stan Musial Baseball Tournament where he chaired many committees and was on the Board of Directors, and was an avid gardener and outdoorsman. Don worked his entire career (39 years) at the Battle Creek Enquirer and News, starting on October 3rd, 1947 (in the linotype and circulation divisions) until his retirement in January 1, 1987, leaving as the Distribution Center Manager.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 23rd, 2011 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Maria Stein, Ohio with Fr. Tom Brenberger officiating. Burial will follow several days later at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI, with full military honors. Friends may call at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater, OH on Thursday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM.

Condolences may be left at the Hogenkampfh.com.