John L. Heckert

John L. Heckert, 74, Ottawa, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at Select Specialty Hospital, Overland Park. The Mass of Christian Burial: Rite One will be 3 p.m. Friday at Grace Episcopal Church, Ottawa. He was born Friday, Feb. 9, 1934, at York, Penn., to Albert Leon Heckert and Purdon Arbella (Shorts) Heckert. He moved to Ottawa from Topeka in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army as a medic during the mid 1950s until the early 1960s during the Korean War. He was a 36-year member of Ottawa Lodge No. 18 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, holding the offices of Worshipful Master in 1975 and 2001, Area Deputy Master, and all of the other offices in the lodge at some point in his membership, and had been chaplain since 2006. He also was a member of Ottawa Chapter No. 7 York Rite and held all offices; Grand York Rite holding the offices of Grand Chaplain, Grand Sentinel, District Deputy in 2003 and 2004, and Grand Representative from 2003 to present, as well as being involved in various Grand Lodge committees; Ottawa Council No. 18 Royal and Select Masons, and held all offices; Grand Council Royal and Select Masons holding the positions of Grand Master of Grand Council in 1998, Grand Representative of Michigan, as well as holding several offices and committees; Tancred Commandry No. 11, Knights Templar, holding all offices, currently Grand Prelate of Grand Commandry; Past Pryor of Knights of York Cross of Honor; Past Pryor of Red Cross of Constantine; Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priest; Past Commander Association of Kansas. He also was a member of Grace Episcopal Church of Ottawa serving as Senior Warden. He was ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal Church on Feb. 23, 1998. He served as Camp Wood Counselor, Ottawa City Santa Claus, Ottawa City Uncle Sam, Ottawa Meals on Wheels, Ottawa Big Buddy program, Ottawa Tree Board, coached Junior League Baseball and was a Cub Scout Leader. He worked as a stone mason for 18 years. He worked as sexton of the Highland Cemetery for the City of Ottawa from August 1980 until he retired in March 1998. He most recently was with the city maintaining and mowing the Rails to Trails. He married Doris Rose Peterson Nov. 10, 1966, at Ottawa. She preceded him in death June 7, 2008. Survivors include daughters, Nancy Shumate and her husband, Jeff, Ottawa, and Donna Jones, Ottawa; a son, John L. Heckert II, and his wife, Dawn, Overland Park and grandchildren, Amy Williams, Joshua Shumate, Linda Shumate, Caroline Heckert and Annabelle Heckert; and a great-granddaughter, Madelyn Williams. SERVICES: The Mass of Christian Burial Rite will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Ottawa at 3:00 p.m., Friday, September 19, 2008. IN STATE: Mr. Heckert has been cremated. The family will meet with friends 7 to 8 Thursday evening at Dengel & Son Mortuary. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery. MEMORIALS: The family request in lieu of flowers that memorials be sent to Grace Episcopal Church or Ronald McDonald Family Room at The Children`s Mercy Hospital c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.