Mahlon Richard Hecker
Obituary
Mahlon Richard Hecker, 94, of Lock Haven, was reunited with his late wife on Saturday June 12, 2021. Mahlon left this world peacefully surrounded by family as he went to his eternal home to be with his wife.
Born as one of nine children on February 17, 1927 in Lemont to Frank and Mary Hecker. His twin sister Margaret returned to the Lord a few years prior, leaving him to be the last to reunite with his family. Along with his parents and siblings, he was predeceased by his loving wife, Betty Hecker on February 12, 2018.
After losing his parents, he was raised by his aunt and uncle. As a young boy he began working in the orchards to help support his family and continued on to do glass blowing work before being drafted to the United States Army at age 19. While in the Army, he fought in World War II before being honorably discharged as a Corporal with the 609th Air Material Squadron and 385th Air Service Group. Returning back home, he went to work for Piper Aircraft for over 30 years. When Piper closed, he went to work for Brodart where he worked until his retirement.
While on a leave from the Army, Mahlon visited a friend in Williamsport who set him up on a blind date with a friend, Betty. The blind date led him and Betty to 65 years of happiness and the truest of love.
Mahlon enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with his family, watching Penn State Football, bowling with the Piper bowling team and claiming his many trophies playing horseshoes. In his spare time, he could be found in his garage, designing and building some of the most beautiful woodworking projects. Family and friends both near and far could still share many of those handcrafted products today. For 45 years, he could be seen bringing smiles to the faces of the family children, as he brought the jolly man to each family Christmas party. After the loss of his wife, Mahlon enjoyed putting together puzzles with his caregivers.
Over the years, Mahlon became very close with his wife’s siblings in the Aungst family; Richard, Ralph, Evelyn and Carol, all who were predeceased and also Bonnie Knarr of Jersey Shore, Robert Aungst Sr. and his wife of Lock Haven, who still survive. He is survived by his daughters Joyce (Phil) Micklitsch and Linda (Jeff) Forster and also a nephew whom he loved like a son, David Aungst. Also surviving are his grandchildren, from the Micklitsch Family are Chris, Jamie and Ryan and from the Hecker/Forster family are Jennifer Lynn, Jeremy and Jen Marie. While all of his grandchildren held a special place in his heart he provided a nurturing love for Jennifer Lynn Hecker. He was also blessed with eight great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He had many nieces and nephews who he loved very much, yet held a special bond with Leslie, Michael and Douglas Fetzer. He became “Pap” to the many caregivers who enriched his life over the past few years. Those kindhearted special people will never truly know how much they touched the lives of him and his family.
Family may be at peace knowing that he can be found on the clouds of heaven, singing “You are my Sunshine” to his loving wife, Betty.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 12 P.M. at the Donald G. Walker Funeral Home, Inc., 231 High Street, Flemington, PA 17745 with Pastor Frank Rogers officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven.
Friends and family will be received for a time of viewing on Saturday from 11 A.M. until the time of the service.
Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Dunnstown Fire Company or Lock Haven First Church of Christ Bereavement Group.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.donaldwalkerfuneralhome.com
