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Wayne Grant Heckler
1950 - 2022
Wayne Grant Heckler
1950 - 2022
Obituary
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Wayne Heckler Obituary
Wayne Grant Heckler of Madison, Alabama, age 72, was born on March 6, 1950, in Illinois. He passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2022 in Huntsville, Alabama, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie and Norma Heckler. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Debbie Garrett Heckler, and his brother David Heckler of Tulsa, Oklahoma, daughter Chris Heckler Frey (J.D.) of Huntsville, and son Steven Matthew Heckler (Gemma) of Bedford, England and granddaughters Grace, Maggie, and Sophia.
Wayne was a 1968 graduate of Austin High School in Decatur, AL and UAH in Huntsville, and he worked as a software engineer until he retired from TRW in 2009. He was a member of St. Matthews’s Episcopal Church in Madison, AL.
Wayne started running and racing when he turned 50 years old, after his doctor advised him he needed to lose weight and get some exercise. He was dedicated and participated in numerous marathons, 50K’s, and other ultra races, including the Boston Marathon. All running was fun for Wayne, especially in the mountains and in the mud. When he was asked how he occupied his mind during long races, he said he prayed for his friends and family while he ran, one mile for each person. One of Wayne’s favorite races was the Delano Park 12 hour race, conducted by the River City Runners (Decatur). This year the race will be run on Saturday March 5, 2022 in Wayne’s honor. He was greatly loved and will be missed by many.
Funeral services will be on Thursday, March 3, 2022, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. and service at 2:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Hughes Rd in Madison. Services will be conducted by Father Chris Hartley and Father Steve Gruman. Interment of ashes will follow directly after the funeral service at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. The family will host a reception after completion of the services at Yellowhammer Brewing in Huntsville, AL.
Donations in memory of Wayne may be made online to Alabama Cursillo, or by mail c/o Jenelle Marsh, 16069 Carmel Bay, Northport, AL 35475.
The family requests that everyone wears a mask.
12 Entries
Linda Steinbaugh
March 4, 2022
Debbie, my thoughts are with you in the coming days and beyond. You and Wayne were blessed to have found each other. Lean on friends for support as much as you need. I wish I weren't so far away. Love and prayers for you.
Linda
Wanda Franklin
March 3, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss. We knew Wayne through HTC. He was an impressive runner. May your faith bring you comfort.
Dick and Wanda Franklin
Steven Heckler
March 3, 2022
Hey Dad, I’m sure you’ll look down and read this.
I would loved to be there in person, but unable in the time frame.
So I sit in England, talking to the sky and paying my respects.
Rest in peace, Dad x
Tom and Janet Duncan
March 3, 2022
I knew Wayne professional and athletically, he was very humble and excelled in whatever if aspired to do. I will and have missed seeing Wayne burning up the trails and roads, seeing Debbie at the races was always a treat also. Prayers to the Heckler Family, near and far!
RIP in peace Wayne!
With Love,
Tom and Janet Duncan
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Jeff Hewitt
March 2, 2022
Wayne was one of those people who make the world brighter. He will be greatly missed by the members of his church and his friends. Rest in peace, Wayne!
Judy Vest Daly
March 2, 2022
So sorry to hear this. We all had good times in band and all, a good friend. Praying for you Debbie. God’s Blessings for you.
Debbie Collette
March 2, 2022
I was so blessed to know Wayne through Cursillo. He was a great person and I thought so very highly of him. Debbie I am praying that your memories will bring you much comfort. With much love from Debbie Collette
David Lawrence
March 2, 2022
A Good Memory of Wayne was him and Debbie being in the “Couples” Cursillo Reunion Group at St Matthews Episcopal Church with 5 other couples. Wayne was a strong Christian and was very supportive his Church and his faith! We all prayed together, but also told stories of our lives and what we were doing. Wayne was an amazing Runner, and clearly one of the best in the Southeastern United States. He used to amaze us as he talked about his 10 mile, 20 mile, etc. races, and he did it with such ease! He must have been “born to run”!
One memory I have of Wayne was when I told him I’d like to go with him on one of his daily jaunts(10+ miles). His eyes “lit up”, but when I told him I’d “be in my car” and would follow him, he realized that there was “no way” I would even attempt to actually run with him in one of his LONG races! We both laughed over that! Wayne also had a good sense of humor, and we will ALL miss him! Colonel David Lawrence, USAF (ret)
Dani and Jennifer Richard
March 2, 2022
Your true love story is beautiful to all who know you. We are keeping you in our thoughts.
Rose Battle -Frey
March 2, 2022
We love y’all . We were blessed to know Wayne and to be part of his family .
He will forever be remembered as a kind, generous , athletic man , who loved to run and make new friends .
Love Rose and all of our family .
Betty Gorham
March 2, 2022
My sincere condolences to the family of Wayne. I’ve known Wayne and Debbie for years, since high school. I have fond memories of them and our concert and marching band days. May God grant you peace.
Janice Heckler
February 28, 2022
To Debbie, Dave and Chris, much love and condolences from Janice Heckler, Steven Heckler and from our family in the UK.
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16 Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758
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