Jerry Heckman Sr.

Jerry Ray Heckman Sr., 70, resident of Pryor, Okla., died Monday, June 2, 2014, at St. John's Medical Center, in Tulsa, Okla. He was born on Jan. 1, 1944, in Fort Scott, Kan., the only child of George John Heckman and Mable Anna (Cowan) Heckman. He married Jeanie Ellene (Large) Heckman on Oct. 26, 1961, and she survives of the home.

Jerry lived in Fort Scott, until moving to Oklahoma in 1987. He worked as a U.S. Postal Contractor for 41 years, prior to his retirement in 2013. Jerry enjoyed fishing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His family was most important to him. He will be remembered for his quiet, compassionate, patient, loving, tender hearted, and hardworking personality.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanie, of the home; two sons, Jerry Ray Jr. and wife, Diana, of Fulton, Kan., and John Heckman and wife, Marla, of Verdigris, Okla.; two daughters, Carol (Heckman) Allison and husband, Tim, of Fort Scott, Kan., and Valorie Bertsch and husband, Mark, of Oolagah, Okla.; 19 grandchildren, Opal Shannon, Whitney, Ashley, Jerad, and Jenny Heckman, Roger Rodriquez, Andrea Parsons, Rebecca and husband, Brian Williams, Nathan and wife, Katie Allison, Ryann Allison, Stephen and Taylor Bertsch, Brecklynn and Madison Simmons, Samantha, Joshua and Anna Heckman, Brittany and husband, Tim Carden, and Shelby Boyles; and nine great-grandchildren, Addyson and Dexter Williams, Jasper and Korbyn Allison, Bentley Smith and Benton Rodriquez, and Timmy, Treyson and Trinity Carden. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The Rev. Arthur Large will conduct graveside services at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 5, at the Large/Pleasantview Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Thursday from noon to 1 p.m., at the funeral home prior to services and will leave for the cemetery at 1:15 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Care to Share and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS. 66701.

Condolences may be emailed to expressions@konantz-cheney.com.