NORTH MANCHESTER - Richard Duane "Dick" Heeter, 83, of North Manchester, passed to live with our Lord at 1:05 a.m. July 15, 2009, in Peabody Healthcare Center, North Manchester.
He was born Oct. 27, 1925, to Dale Madlam and Edna Lucille Frushour Heeter, in the home on the family farm. On Nov. 7, 1948, in St. Paul's Evangelical Reform Church, he married Liela Jeaneene Bechtold, who survives.
He was a 1944 graduate of Chester Township High School, North Manchester. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army-Air Corp. stationed in Texas and Florida, flying in the lower ball-turret section of the B-17 bomber aircraft during World War II. After two years, he returned home to serve six years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, and drove his father's school bus route. Working with his father at the family business, Heeter's Garage, they maintained and repaired farm equipment and family vehicles. They built racing cars which he raced at local tracks through the 1950s. He also enjoyed racing go karts and motorcycles, and held a pilot's license for single engine aircraft.
For many years he served as a fireman/first responder with the Chester Township Fire Department. He was a member of REACT and the Citizens' Band Radio Club. He owned a dump truck business, which assisted in the construction of Ind. 13S through the Wabash "cut." He worked 13 years as head of maintenance at Timbercrest Church of the Brethren Home, North Manchester. He enjoyed working with his family, repairing small engines and passing on knowledge to his son and grandson as Heeter's Garage evolved into Heeter's Performance Center Inc.
He was an avid bird watcher and loved his cat "Spot." His pastimes were watching racing on television, reading motorsports industry magazines and talking with his grandchildren. He was a member of Congregational Christian Church, North Manchester, and the American Motorcyclist Association.
Also surviving are three children: David Joe (and spouse Young Soon) Heeter, Linda Jean Dea and Lori Kay Heeter, all of North Manchester; a sister, Barbara Rosann "Rosie" (and spouse Gene) Custer, North Manchester; four grandchildren: Amy Kim Heeter (and spouse Mike) Pickett, Providence Forge, Va.; Justin Duane Heeter and Skylar Lim Daniel Heeter, both of North Manchester; Catherine Elizabeth Dea (and spouse Drew) Etner, Winona Lake; five great-grandchildren, Ethan Nicholas Joe, Alana Michelle and Edmund Gabriel Pickett, all of Providence Forge; and Aiden Mathias Etner and Tristan Andrew Etner, both of Winona Lake.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, with Pastor J.P. Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Servia, with military honors by members of American Legion Post 286, North Manchester.
Calling is from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and one half hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home.
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Memorials to the Congregational Christian Church, 310 N. Walnut St., North Manchester, IN 46962; or Chester Township Fire Rescue, 11942 N. CR 300E, North Manchester, IN 46962.
Condolences may be sent to www.delaughtermckee.com
