Geraldine Ann Heckman

Geraldine A. (Gerry) Heckman passed away peacefully at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon, IL on September 13, 2016. She was born March 12, 1928 in West Brooklyn to Thomas and Eva Blackburn. She graduated from Franklin Grove High School in 1946 and after High School she attended Rockford School of Business. She married Dr. Maurice A Heckman of Franklin Grove on January 12, 1950 at St. Patrick's in Dixon. Upon completion of his Doctorate studies, Gerry and Maurice relocated to California where Dr. Heckman had accepted a professorship at Long Beach State University. After the sudden death of her husband on October 2, 1962, Gerry moved their six young children back to Franklin Grove. She worked at a local insurance agency and Del Monte Foods in Rochelle prior to beginning her career with the U.S. Postal Service. She worked for the Postal Service for 27 years, retiring after serving the last 16 years as Postmaster in Franklin Grove. Gerry was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Dixon, where she was involved in Ministry of Compassion, Ushering, and Loaves and Fishes. She was also a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association (NARFE) and also had volunteered at Franklin Grove Healthcare Center. She is survived by her children: Christine Heckman (Sterling), Steven (Kay) Heckman (Dixon), Jeff (Kelly) Heckman (Peoria Heights) and Deborah A. (Rick) Bowers (Dixon), son-in-law David Johnson (Gresham, Oregon), daughter-in-law Kathy (Fred) Le Savage (Tomah, Wis.), and her brother James (Mary Ann) Blackburn (Franklin Grove), 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dr. Maurice Heckman, daughter Maurine Johnson, and son David Heckman. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 16, 2016, beginning with a 10:00 AM prayer service in the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon followed by a 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick Catholic Church with the Rev. Bernard Sehr, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 15, from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM. A memorial has been established to Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon. Condolences may be sent online at www.thejonesfh.com.

Geraldine Ann Heckman

March 12, 1928 - September 13, 2016