Beverly Heckman

Beverly Heckman, 88, passed away on May 31, 2020 at Southridge Nursing Home where she had resided for the last 5 years. She is now singing hymns to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Graveside services will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery on Thursday, June 4 at 10:30 am. Visitation will be at Mitchell Funeral Home one hour before.  For questions or to send a condolence, please contact Mitchell Funeral Home via our website www.mitchellfh.com or by phone #641-844-1234. Beverly was born on October 5th, 1931 to Lewis and Mildred (Damman) Preston of Melbourne. She grew up on farms in Melbourne. She graduated from Van Cleve High School in 1949. She then attended business school in Marshalltown.  She worked at Nash Finch for a while and then moved on to Fisher Controls. While working there, she met the love of her life. Paul and Beverly were married on February 16th, 1956. She was dedicated, loyal and supportive of all of the jobs (paid and unpaid) that Paul took on. She cooked oatmeal from scratch every morning for breakfast for Paul. Learning she was pregnant in 1960, she quit her Fisher job to become a stay at home mom. She was a great mom. She never missed school functions and was always there when needed. She loved to bake. There was never an empty cookie jar and she was known for the large variety of candies that she made every year at Christmas. She always had a garden. She hung clothes out to dry. If it was bad weather, she would hang them in the basement. Music was a very important part of her life. Beverly learned to play the piano when she was little. She played the piano/organ for many organizations as well as serving as church organist until she was not able to due to health reasons.  She and Paul both loved to dance. They both square-danced and ballroom danced every chance they got. She never had trouble speaking her mind. You knew where you stood with Beverly whether you liked it or not, but she was always there to give you what you needed and expected only a thank you in return. Beverly was a 50 year life member and past president of the American Legion Auxiliary, past Worthy Matron and member of the Eastern Star and a member of White Shrine. She held part time jobs also. She worked at the Aire Flow Inn in the early 60’s and was a cafeteria worker at Fisher Elementary School in the mid 80’s. She and Paul transferred their church membership from St. John’s UCC in Melbourne to First UCC in Marshalltown in the mid 70’s and that is where they remained. She is survived by her husband of 64 years Paul, daughter Diane (Ric) Thomas of Imperial, MO, son David (Becky) Heckman of Montour, IA, a granddaughter Amy Thomas, a grandson Logan (Brittany) Heckman and 2 great grandsons Zach and Carson Heckman, as well as siblings Lloyd (Leona) Preston of Marshalltown and Mary Lou Fleming of Nevada, IA, along with two nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother-in-law Don Fleming. Memorials can be directed to First United Church of Christ in Marshalltown. View the funeral service livestream: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/