Obituary for Ernest E. Heckman
Ernest E. Heckman, 95, of The Highlands at Wyomissing, and formerly of Windsor Township, passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at The Highlands. He was the husband of the late Helen E. (Boltz) Heckman, who died April 18, 1991.
Born in Windsor Twp., he was the son of the late Morris R. and Sadie I. (Herber) Heckman. Ernest was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a self-employed dairy farmer in Windsor Twp. from 1951-1985. Ernest was deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture from 1986-1990. Ernest was very active in his community. He was Windsor Twp. supervisor and roadmaster from 1982-2001; as well as a Democratic committeeman for Windsor Twp. Ernest was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Perry Twp., where he was a former church councilperson and choir member. He was also chairman of the church building committee in 1969. Ernest was a member and junior deacon of Vaux Lodge #406 F. & A.M., Hamburg; Valley of Reading AASR; and the Rajah Shrine. He was a member and president of the Rajah Shrine Chanters. Ernest was president of the Berks County Cooperative Extension; president of the Berks County Farm-City Council; membership chairperson of the Berks County Farm Bureau; and president of the Berks County Fersommling. He was a delegate for People to People International, representing agriculture on a visit to China in 1979. Ernest was a member of the Virginville Grange #1832; Virginville Fire Company; Union Fire Company Hamburg; and member and president of the Hamburg Exchange Club. He was a member of the Advisory Board for the former Hamilton Bank; Farm Credit Advisory Board; the property committee of the resident advisory board at The Highlands at Wyomissing; a member of Hamburg School Board during the district jointure; and member of the board at the Hamburg Center.
Ernest is survived by his children: Susan L. (Heckman) Kauffman, life companion of Mitchell Shestok, Wyomissing; Diane P. (Heckman), wife of Joseph Gaetani, Muhlenberg Twp.; and Roger E. Heckman, husband of Debora Heckman; Perry Twp.; son-in-law: Ronald Seaman, Albany Twp.; six grandchildren: Michele Kauffman (Greg Ferenchick); Keith Kauffman (Melissa); Jonathan Seaman (Tracey); Nicholas Gaetani (Meredith); Joc Heckman (Meg); and Jory Heckman (Kristen); and seven great-grandchildren: Ben, Keely, Hayes, Dawson, Bella, Lucy and Anna. He is also survived by a sister: Ruth M. (Heckman), widow of Richard Kershner, Hamburg. Ernest was predeceased by a daughter: Sharon A. (Heckman) Seaman, who died February 13, 2021; five brothers: Nevin, Leroy, Lloyd, Paul and Carl; and one sister: Grace (Heckman) Wanner.
Services will be held Saturday at 10:30 am from Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 354 Zion's Church Road, Shoemakersville, PA 19555. A viewing will be held Friday 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., 223 Peach Street, Leesport, with a Masonic service at 7:00 pm and a viewing Saturday 9:30 to 10:30 at the church. Burial will be private in Zion's Cemetery, Perry Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Church at the above address or Shriners Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Leesport is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com
Born in Windsor Twp., he was the son of the late Morris R. and Sadie I. (Herber) Heckman. Ernest was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a self-employed dairy farmer in Windsor Twp. from 1951-1985. Ernest was deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture from 1986-1990. Ernest was very active in his community. He was Windsor Twp. supervisor and roadmaster from 1982-2001; as well as a Democratic committeeman for Windsor Twp. Ernest was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Perry Twp., where he was a former church councilperson and choir member. He was also chairman of the church building committee in 1969. Ernest was a member and junior deacon of Vaux Lodge #406 F. & A.M., Hamburg; Valley of Reading AASR; and the Rajah Shrine. He was a member and president of the Rajah Shrine Chanters. Ernest was president of the Berks County Cooperative Extension; president of the Berks County Farm-City Council; membership chairperson of the Berks County Farm Bureau; and president of the Berks County Fersommling. He was a delegate for People to People International, representing agriculture on a visit to China in 1979. Ernest was a member of the Virginville Grange #1832; Virginville Fire Company; Union Fire Company Hamburg; and member and president of the Hamburg Exchange Club. He was a member of the Advisory Board for the former Hamilton Bank; Farm Credit Advisory Board; the property committee of the resident advisory board at The Highlands at Wyomissing; a member of Hamburg School Board during the district jointure; and member of the board at the Hamburg Center.
Ernest is survived by his children: Susan L. (Heckman) Kauffman, life companion of Mitchell Shestok, Wyomissing; Diane P. (Heckman), wife of Joseph Gaetani, Muhlenberg Twp.; and Roger E. Heckman, husband of Debora Heckman; Perry Twp.; son-in-law: Ronald Seaman, Albany Twp.; six grandchildren: Michele Kauffman (Greg Ferenchick); Keith Kauffman (Melissa); Jonathan Seaman (Tracey); Nicholas Gaetani (Meredith); Joc Heckman (Meg); and Jory Heckman (Kristen); and seven great-grandchildren: Ben, Keely, Hayes, Dawson, Bella, Lucy and Anna. He is also survived by a sister: Ruth M. (Heckman), widow of Richard Kershner, Hamburg. Ernest was predeceased by a daughter: Sharon A. (Heckman) Seaman, who died February 13, 2021; five brothers: Nevin, Leroy, Lloyd, Paul and Carl; and one sister: Grace (Heckman) Wanner.
Services will be held Saturday at 10:30 am from Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 354 Zion's Church Road, Shoemakersville, PA 19555. A viewing will be held Friday 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., 223 Peach Street, Leesport, with a Masonic service at 7:00 pm and a viewing Saturday 9:30 to 10:30 at the church. Burial will be private in Zion's Cemetery, Perry Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Church at the above address or Shriners Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Leesport is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com