James Donald Heck (nee Hecklinski)

Oct. 3, 1932 – Jan. 13, 2005

James D. Heck, 72, of Granger, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2005, at Hospice House of St.Joseph County. Born in South Bend on October 3, 1932, Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Helen (Zurat) Heck.

On March 19, 1953, in St. Casimir’s Church, Jim married his loving wife of 51 years, the former Darlene Schoen.In addition to his wife, Darlene, Jim is survived by his six wonderful children, Pam (Chip) Newman of Granger, Bonnie (Brian) Hay of Granger, Lynn (John) Fineran of North Port, Florida, May (Kerry) Collins of Island Lake, Illinois, Mike (Sherrie) Heck and Dave Heck, both of South Bend.Jim is also survived by his seven cherished grandchildren, Corey, Chelsea, Connor, Stephanie, Katie, Matthew and Madelyn.

A graduate of Washington High School, Jim attended Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., where he was a member of the Purdue football team. A lifetime golfer, he was the South Bend Junior City Golf Champion in 1949. Jim proudly served his country and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Jim was employed as a purchasing manager for Dodge Reliance Manufacturing Company where he worked for over 28 years. Before retiring in 1994, he was a contract administrator for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Jim was a member of the Dodge Management Forum, the Dodge Quarter Century Club, Elbel Park Men’s League, Elks Lodge #235 BPOE, the Knollwood Country Club, the National Management Association and the Notre Dame University Club. He was also a member of Little Flower Catholic Church. A dedicated community volunteer, Jim had a special love for Logan and the Logan Community. He will be remembered for the joy he derived from the annual Logan Christmas party, which he helped to orchestrate for over 30 years.Jim was an enthusiastic volunteer in the Media Room and the PGA Tour’s International in Castle Rock, Colorado, for many years.

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 17, 2005, at 10 a.m. in Little Flower Catholic Church.Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday in the Forest G. Hay Funeral Home, and one hour prior to Mass on Monday in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made on behalf of James D. Heck to Logan Center, 1235 N. Eddy St., South Bend, IN 46617. Jim’s family extends their appreciation to staff and volunteers at Hospice House for their guidance and compassion throughout his illness

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

02/27/2025 EJS