Donald J. Heck

Don Heck of Carmel, Indiana passed away Friday, April 9, 2010 at 12:15 PM and joined his daughter in heaven. Born August 15, 1933 in New England, North Dakota, he met his wife, Shirley, in Williston, North Dakota and shared over 53 years of their lives together. She survives. Their first daughter, Donna, was born in Fargo, North Dakota and their second daughter, Jeannie, was born while they lived in Jamestown, North Dakota. This family enjoyed living in Topeka Kansas, Eau Claire Wisconsin, Salt Lake City Utah, Great Bend Kansas, and McPherson, Kansas before finally settling in Carmel Indiana where they currently reside.
The most important thing in Don?s life was his family and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He treated them to several memorial trips and vacations and his family is indeed grateful for being able to spend this family time with him. Don enjoyed sharing his years of wisdom through phrases and expressions that have become part of the family folklore. One of his favorite expressions that will always be cherished is “if a little is good?more is better”. Don, along with his wife, enjoyed harness racing horses and has owned several winning trotters that have raced in Florida, New York, and Canada. Along with traveling and harness racing he enjoyed Barbecuing for family and guest and “Happy Hour”.
Don was employed for over 50 years with National Farmers Union Insurance Company and owned NFU Midwest Agency. Prior to his career with National Farmers Union, Don held jobs as a policeman, a cab dispatcher, and bell hop. Don served in the military during the Korean War where he was a medic and was stationed outside of Seoul, Korea.
Don was preceded in death by his daughter, Jeannie Heck Dunten, who passed away on November 30, 2007 and she is greatly missed. Surviving are his wife Shirley Heck, and daughter Donna Mai (husband Doug), three grandchildren, Christina Mai, Stephanie Dunten, and Jessica Dunten, and a son-in-law, David Dunten. Don also has a surviving brother Herb Heck and his sister Polly Schmitz both currently reside in North Dakota.
Memorial gifts can be given to the Jeannie H. Dunten Endowment, 610 Lingle Avenue PO Box 1687, Lafayette, IN 47902-1687. This endowment was established in honor of his daughter for the purpose of supporting Central Catholic High School students in efforts to help the disadvantage and poor of this world.

Friends and family may honor Don and celebrate his life at Soller Baker Funeral home, 400 Twyckenham Boulevard, Lafayette Indiana. Visitation will be Tuesday April 13 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral mass will begin at 10:30 AM Wednesday April 14 at Saint Mary?s Cathedral in Lafayette, Indiana. 1207 Columbia Street, Lafayette Indiana. A rosary service will precede the funeral mass beginning at 10:00 AM also at Saint Mary?s Cathedral. Father Chris Shocklee will preside.
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