Doris K. Heckbert

PETERBOROUGH – Doris K. Heckbert, 95, died on April 11, 2017. Doris was born in Independence, Kansas on January 24, 1922, the daughter of Leroy Krienhagen and Lura (Pike) Krienhagen.

Doris grew up and attended schools in Independence, Kansas. In 1947, she moved to Louisville, Kentucky to work as a secretary at Fort Knox, and it was there she met her future husband, Paul Heckbert, on her first day of work. They married in 1948 and moved to Dublin after Paul was discharged from the U.S. Army. They eventually moved to Peterborough, where they raised their two daughters. After being a full-time mother for seven years, Doris became a teacher for a few years at Mrs. Broyles' Jack and Jill Nursery School, before going to work for American Guernsey Cattle Club for several years. In 1964, she began taking dictation and typing letters at home for her neighbor, John Bellows, co-owner of Bellows-Nichols Insurance Agency, who offered her a full-time secretarial position later that year at the office. Doris worked there until her retirement at age 87 in 2009.

Doris was a very active member of the Union Congregational Church in Peterborough joining in 1955. She became the church clerk in 1966 and remained in that position for 42 years, retiring at age 85. Doris also had a beautiful high soprano voice and sang in the church choir for 60 years.

For many years, Doris had been a member of the International Assoc. of Rebekah Assemblies.

Doris had a great personality and laugh, loved visiting with neighbors on her front porch, and spending time with her family. She had a generous heart and joyous nature. She will be missed by so many.

Doris is survived by her two daughters, Vicki Haley and her husband, Michael, of Peterborough, and Judi Miller and her husband, Rick, of Francestown. She will also be missed by her four grandchildren, Erin Buffum of Peterborough, James Miller and Elisabeth Miller, both of Denver, Colorado, and Jon Miller of Francestown, and her four great-grandchildren, Cameron, Connor and Christian Buffum, all of Peterborough, and Makayla Miller of Francestown, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Doris is pre-deceased by her husband, Paul, who died in 1979. She is also pre-deceased by her older brother and her three younger sisters.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Fellowship Hall at the Union Congregational Church, 33 Concord Street, Peterborough, on Saturday, April 29, at 1 p.m.

Doris was a very generous donor to multiple charitable organizations that had meaning in her life, therefore, in lieu of flowers, she would want you to donate to the charity or charities closest to your heart .

Jellison Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online obituary or to leave the family a condolence please visit www.jellisonfuneralhome.com