Thomas Heidecker

"> Thomas Heidecker
Thomas R. Heidecker has gone to be with his Lord after a long and courageous battle with leukemia. He died Sunday evening, Sept. 28, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his loving family who treasured him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was the husband of Ruth (Kelleher) Heidecker. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary last February. He was predeceased by his son, Thomas R. Jr., in 1949. Born in Bethlehem on December 19, 1918, Tom was the youngest of eight children born to the late August and Anna (Brugger) Heidecker. He attended Liberty High School and Penn State University. After serving his country honorably in World War II in the Coast Guard, he returned home to his wife in Philadelphia and eventually to the Lehigh Valley. He became president and owner of Emmaus Ford in 1961, where he remained until retiring in 1984. A respected member of the business community, Tom was president of both the Lehigh Valley Dealers Association and the Ford Dealers Association of the Greater Philadelphia Area, a director of the Allentown-Lehigh County Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of First National Bank. Tom was a devoted and active member of his church throughout his life. At Holy Ghost Catholic Church, he was a member of the mens choir for many years and president of the Holy Name Society. He was a member of the mens group at St. Pauls, Allentown. Tom had a passion for life, which he shared with his many friends. He enjoyed playing golf at Lehigh Country Club, where he was a member since 1968. He enjoyed playing bridge with friends, and was known for his love of music and dancing. He and his wife traveled extensively, always together. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, daughter, Ruthann and her husband Pedro, son, Richard and his wife Kay, daughter, Jane and her husband Stanley, son, Michael and his wife Terese, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, in St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexor Ave., Allentown. Viewing, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, Schantz Funeral Home Inc., 250 Main St., Emmaus, and 10-11 a.m. Thursday in the church. Entombment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to www.schantzfh.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Thomas More Catholic Church, PA 18103 or Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.