Charles R. Heston April 9, 1941 - May 24, 2014
MISHAWAKA - Charles R. Heston, Sr., 73, formerly of Mishawaka,
passed away in his residence in Wolcottville, IN on Saturday, May
24th surrounded by his children and his dear sister, Pat 'Jes'.
Charles was born in Mishawaka on April 9, 1941to the late Kenneth
and Martha (Landuyt) Heston. He graduated from Mishawaka High
School as part of the Class of 1959. Charles served his country
proudly in the United States Air Force and was stationed at K.I.
Sawyer in the upper peninsula of Michigan, during the Vietnam War. He returned to
Mishawaka after serving and became a firefighter with the Mishawaka
Fire Department. Charles always wanted to be a fireman. He was
driven to earn his rank, first as a master fireman, a second
driver, then as a first driver. He spent a year in the alarm
room, but he was a first class fireman, never forgetting his
roots. He helped start the Hazmat, volunteered to go to the
Norfolk and Southern rail yard for training on tanker cars,
learning how to deal with the toxic chemicals carried by these
cars. He was proud to be the first EMT in the city. In 1996, he
retired from the department after 30 years of service. Charles
was a member of St. Gasper Catholic Church in Wolcottville, the
Moose Lodge in LaGrange, IN, the DAV in Elkhart, the American
Legion post in LaGrange, the B.K. Club, B.K. Archery Club, and he
was a past President and Vice President of the UAW at Dometic
Corp. Charles was an avid Green Bay Packers Fan. Charles is
survived by his children: Cherie (Chris) Sparkman of Elkhart,
Charles (Theresa) Heston, Jr. of Osceola, Cynthia (Rod) Vander
Zander of Green Bay, WI, Christopher (Kimberly) Heston of
Mishawaka and Carrie (Walter) Janssen of Kaukaua, WI. Charles was
the grandfather of 12 and a great-grandfather of 2. He is also
survived by his siblings: Kenny (Cindy) Heston of Osceola,
Phillip (Roane) Heston of Mishawaka, and Pat 'Jes' Heston of
Decatur, MI. On January 29, 1982 he married Delores Baker,
growing his family by 5 children: Richard, Linda, Norman, Rita
and Greg; and many grand- and great- grandchildren. Charles was
preceded in death by his wife, Delores, son, Greg, and his
brother-in-law, Leon. Friends may visit with the family from 2
until 8:00 pm, on Wednesday, May 28th in the Bubb Funeral Chapel,
3910 N. Main St., Mishawaka. A Mass of Christian Burial will be
held at 11:30 am, on Thursday, May 29th in the St. Monica
Catholic Church in Mishawaka, with Msgr. Bruce Piechocki
officiating. Friends will be able to visit with the family one
hour prior to the Mass in the church. He will be laid to rest in
the Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka. Memorial contributions may be
made to Parkview Noble Hospice, 1607 Dowling Street,
Kendallville, IN 46755-9407.Published in South Bend Tribune on May 27, 2014