Richard Rudolph Heckel

Richard Rudolph Heckel, of Colonial Heights, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at the age of 93. He was born in West Virginia on September 26, 1930, the son of the late Rudolph and Hilda Chenoweth Heckel.

Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Winifred D. Heckel; sons, Timothy B. Heckel and Philip A. Heckel; sisters, Kitty Eicholtz and Debbie Williams; his granddaughter, Christie Ann Heckel; and daughter-in-law, JoAnne Heckel.

He proudly served his country for four years in the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant. He then worked as a chief lab technician at Allied Chemical for 40 years, and then for Ukrops for 20 years as a courtesy clerk. Richard was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, where he was an usher, eucharist minister, and a eucharist minister for the sick and homebound. A member of the American Legion Post 284, he was their faithful bingo caller, a member of 40/8 voiture 1530, and was involved in several projects for both organizations. He was also an avid golfer.

Richard is survived by his sisters, Ann, Mary, Jane, and Carolyn; brothers, Tom, Danny, and Dave; his children, Richard Edward Heckel (Marilyn), Brenda Heckel Shelburne (Eli), Charles Lynn Heckel (Patti), Stephen Wayne Heckel, and Cathy Heckel Colletti (Tom); 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many more friends.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 18, 2023, at St. Ann Catholic Church, 17111 Route 1, South Chesterfield, Virginia 23834. A funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will be private. Condolences may be registered online at ealvinsmall.com

Richard