John Henry Heckler, age 86 of Celina, Ohio passed away at 4:35a.m. on Friday November 22, 2013 at the Celina Manor Nursing Home in Celina. John was born on Nov. 13, 1927 in Celina, Ohio to the late Roman & Anna (Anthony) Heckler. On Sept. 2, 1950 He married Ruth Boeckman, who died in 1996. Survivors include his children Peg & Jerry Coate of Celina, Joan & Robin Huelsman of Celina, Steve & Sandy Heckler of Celina, Roger Heckler of Celina, Sharon Heckler of Celina, Lisa Adkins of Centerville, 13 grandchildren, 14 Great Grandchildren, Son-in-law Dale & Paulette Sommer of Celina, sister Mary "Trudie" & Henry Lefeld of St. Henry and his companion Esther Borger of Celina. John was preceded in death by his daughter Nancy Sommer and two infant sisters Ann Rose Heckler and Teresa Heckler. John graduated from the Immaculate Conception Catholic High School with the Class of 1945. He was a Life Member at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Celina, where he was an Usher, Adult Altar Server, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and helped with the Religious Education Program. John served his country in the U.S. Navy on the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier from 1945-1946 and served in the navy Reserves until 1954. He was a member of the Celina American Legion Post # 210, Past Commander in 1953 and initiated the Drill Team for Military Honors in Celina. He was also a member of the V.F.W. Post 5713, Moose Lodge and Celina Knights of Columbus Council #1800. John was a volunteer firefighter in Celina. He was formerly employed at Heckler Hardware Store in Celina, then managed the Amstutz Poultry Farm and retired in 2012 from Wolfe Tire on his 85th Birthday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30a.m. on Tuesday Nov. 26, 2013 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Celina, with Fr. Kenneth G. Alt C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery in Celina, with Military Honors. Friends may call from 2-8p.m. on Monday Nov. 25, 2013 and from 9-10 on Tuesday at the Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home in Celina. American Legion and V. F.W. membership services will be held at 7:00p.m. and Knights of Columbus membership services will be held at 8:00p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to State of the Heart Home Health & Hospice or Immaculate Conception Endowment Fund. Condolences may be left at LHDfuneralhome.com.
