Submitted by: Dan Rich

Curtis R. Heckaman Sr.

Oct. 7, 1928 - Nov. 19, 2005

South Bend Tribune 11/21/2005

Curtis R. Heckaman, Sr., 77, of South Bend, passed away at 6:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2005 in his home after a brief illness. Mr. Heckaman was born on October 7, 1928 in South Bend to the late Floyd L. and Ruth (Kuhl) Heckaman. He had remained a lifelong resident. Mr. Heckaman was the co-founder of Curtis Products, Inc., with whom he founded with his father, Floyd. He had been a member of Morris Park Country Club for the past 53 years. Mr. Heckaman was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Elks and a member of the Masonic Lodge, F & AM.

Mr. Heckaman is survived by; four daughters, Jill (Jay) Simpson of South Bend, Cathy (Stephen) Wegman of San Diego, CA, Julie Keb of South Bend, and Terri (Douglas) Vyverberg of Lexington, KY; four sons, Curtis R. (Jane Bennett) Heckaman, Jr. of Hamilton, Ontario, David (Karen) Heckaman of South Bend, John (Kristen) Heckaman of South Bend, and Andrew Heckaman of South Bend; 21 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and his companion, Elizabeth Welsh of South Bend.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2005 in the Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Rev. Patrick Somers, pastor of Evangel Heights United Methodist Church, will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 22, in the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Curtis R. Heckaman, Sr. may be donated to the charity of the donor's choice.

Editor: On 1-24-1948 in St. Joseph County he married Patricia A. Lord.