Ronald Eugene Heckman, age 94, passed at Serenity Estates of Freeport, Freeport II, formerly a resident of Shannon Illinois and Freeport Illinois. He passed on February 17, 2026. Ron was born May 3, 1931, on the family farm in Lanark Illinois, to Frank Robert Heckman and Zella (Bowers) Heckman, where he lived and worked till he was 21. He graduated from Lanark High School in 1949. In 1952 he joined the United States Air Force. He trained at San Antonio Texas, Lackland AFB, then at Lowry AFB, Denver Colorado. He was in the Munitions Special Weapons Training. In 1954 he went to Yokohama Japan on the USS Mig, then flew to Soul Korea on a C46 for one year. In 1955 he was stationed in Offutt AFB, SAC Headquarters in Omaha Nebraska, where he met his wife, Mary Thayer, who was also in the Air Force. They spent three years in England, then back to the States. He retired after nine years in the Air Force. They were married on September 8, 1955, at the First Brethren Church in Lanark II. They honeymooned at Lake Genevia Wisconsin. They were married on Ron's parents' anniversary. Ron left the Air Force in 1961. Ron was very proud of his Air Force service. In 2012, Ron & Mary had the privilege of travelling to Washington D.C, on the "Honor Flight". Ron was very impressed with all the memorials. He said it was his favorite and saddest trip he had ever taken. He worked on the family farm in Lanark II for three years. He then drove truck for the DeKalb Feed Company and worked as a technician with The Admiral Company in Dixon II. He retired from Micro Switch in Freeport in 1993 at the age of 62 after 25 years. He continued to build garages and decks to keep himself busy. He was a member of Bethel United Methodist in Shannon II, member of the Boyle, Hoy American Legend in Shannon IL, and volunteered at Freeport Health Network for 15 years.

Survivors include his children: Bonnie (Bill) Foust, Teresa (Gary) Greenfield, Terry (Marvin) Hixson, Steve (Sharla) Heckman, and Tracy (Sigurd) Rognstad, 15 Grandchildren and 18 Great Grandchildren, Sister Patsy (Jerry) Witt, and brother: John (Donna) Heckman.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Frank Heckman and Zella (Bowers) Heckman, wife Mary Heckman, Granddaughter: Mallory Ann Greenfield, Grandson: Joshua John Zannis, and son-in-law: Sigurd Rognstad, his siblings: sister and brother in law, Phyllis and Fred Miller, brother and sister in law, Donald and Barb Heckman, his in-laws: Adeline (Lou) Jarmoliwiczy, Madge (Elvis) Renn, Martha (Bill) Morehead, Jean (Wilbur) Baker, Joanna (Bill) Peacher, brothers: Archibald (June) Thayer, Walter (Joanne) Thayer, Jackie Thayer, George (Dianne) Thayer, William (Jane) Thayer, and Cecil (Janet) Thayer.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday February 21, 2026, at 11 AM, with visitation from 9 AM until time of service, at the Rusell-Frank Funeral Home, 111 N. High St. in Lanark, IL. 61046. Burial is at the Lanark City Cemetery in Lanark II. Ron loved spending time with his family. He and Mary enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. A memorial has been established in his name.