Barbara Sue Heckathorn

Barbara Sue Heckathorn, daughter of the late Arthur “Red” and Helen R. (Thompson) Weber, was born December 29, 1942 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana where she grew up and graduated from Goshen High School. After graduation, Barbara worked as an optometrist in Goshen, Indiana and then moved to Nappanee where she worked as an executive assistant for Fairmont Mobile Home. Barbara’s grandfather owned and operated a bowling alley and lounge, and while there, Barbara met the love of her life, Gary Robert Heckathorn who was serving in the military. Gary was deployed to Korea and when he returned they were united in marriage on December 16, 1977 in Nappanee, Indiana. They shared over 35 years of marriage together and were blessed with two sons: Michael and Greg. Barbara and the family moved to Fort Leonard Wood and she worked for AAFES on Fort Leonard Wood for a time. She then worked for Lynch’s Furniture and drove a school bus. Most people remember her working as a dispatcher for Richland, St. Robert, and Waynesville Police Departments and also for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. She was known for her quick smile and kindness. In her spare time, Barbara enjoyed sewing and sending emails to family members to keep in touch. In recent years, Barbara discovered Facebook and spent many hours on her computer writing on her friends and families Facebook pages. Barbara passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2013 in the Phelps County Regional Medical Center of Rolla, Missouri having attained the age of 70 years, 4 months and 1 day. She will be sadly missed by all those that knew and loved her. Barbara leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Gary Heckathorn of Waynesville; two children: Michael Heckathorn & wife, Dianne, of Midland, GA and Greg Heckathorn and wife, Shannon, of Black River, NY; seven grandchildren: Jeremy & Matthew Heckathorn, Brian and Billy Hawkins, Quentin Lamb, Kieran Feurtado and Cassidy Heckathorn; two great grandchildren: Angellina Passarelli and Santino Hawkins; two brothers: Steven & Ralph Weber; step-mother: Carolyn Weber; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2013 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Rev. Christopher Hendrix officiating. The songs “In the Garden” by Brad Paisley, “Baby I Go Crazy” by Josh Turner and “My Everything” by Marty Haggard were played. Serving as escorts were Michael, Greg, Jeremy, Matthew and Kenneth Heckathorn and Steven Weber. Burial followed in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery – Fort Leonard Wood. Serving as cemetery escorts were the Waynesville and St. Robert Police Departments. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Barbara Heckathorn to the Phelps County Medical Center Transportation and may be left at the funeral home.

Barbara Sue Heckathorn

December 29, 1942 - April 30, 2013