Esther Louise Beigh Heckman, 88, of Winona Lake, died at 12:55 a.m. Dec. 20, 2009, in Grace Village Healthcare Center, Winona Lake.
She was born Aug. 20, 1921, in Clay Township, to Lawrence and Elsa Cauffman Beigh. On Sept. 23, 1939, in Kosciusko County, she married Donald Heckman, who died Jan. 11, 1999.
She spent her life on a farm near Claypool. She was very proud of her parents, Elsa Cauffman Beigh, her mother, was a school teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. Her father, Lawrence Beigh, also taught school and served as a trustee of schools as well as being a farmer. One of Esther's fond childhood memories was of bottle-feeding the newborn lambs.
She graduated from Claypool High School and then soon married her husband of 59 years, Donald Heckman. She was a dairy farmer's wife, assisting in driving the tractor and milking the cows. She was famous for her hay-hand treats of hamburgers and chocolate malts. After their daughters were married and the cows were sold, Esther went to work in the Kosciusko County Treasurer's Office, assisting during their busy tax season. She was often humorously called the "tax collector" in her family.
Esther and her husband Donnie were faithful members of the Claypool United Methodist Church. Many of their social activities revolved around their many dear church friends. Their Sunday school class was very large and they had great picnics and parties as well as weekly Bible studies. Esther served as pianist for their church and also played for the Claypool Men's EUB Quartet, which consisted of Neal Cauffman, Dale Cauffman, Dale Sitter and her husband Donnie. She also accompanied her daughters when they sang.
After she helped her husband's fight with cancer, Esther moved into Grace Village Independent Living and then into healthcare. While she was feeling well, she really enjoyed a good euchre card game. She made many friends and then was often called upon for play cards with a group.
Surviving are two daughters, Lois (and spouse Jerry) Johnson, Claypool, and Barbara (and spouse David) Shively, Etna Green; four grandsons: Mike (and spouse Melissa) Johnson, Mark (and spouse Sandy) Johnson, Jim (and spouse Debbie) Shively, and Tim (and spouse Lori) Shively; and her great-grandchildren: Nick Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Logan Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Zak Shively, Cody Shively, Lucas Shively, Sam Shively, Cameron Shively and Cole Shively. He was preceded in death by a son.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Claypool United Methodist Church, with Pastor Evelyn Taylor-Haney officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Claypool.
Calling is one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements.
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Memorials to Claypool United Methodist Church, 302 E. Section St., Claypool, IN 46510.
Condolences may be sent to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
