Darla J. Heckman

Darla Jane Heckman of KawKawlin, age 77, passed away on Thursday September 26, 2024 at home with her family by her side after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born December 3, 1946 in Tawas City, MI. The daughter of the late Harold and Florence (Mowbray) Goedecke.
Darla grew up on the family farm with her parents and siblings. When becoming old enough she moved out of Tawas and started her own life. She was working and living in West Branch, MI area where she met the love of her life, Raymond F. Heckman.
The couple started the journey of love by moving out of state to Bowling Green OH where they were married on July 26, 1969 and had their first child, Les. The couple continued their journey of love moving to Lowell, MI where their second son, Larry, was born. With always looking for a brighter future the young family would move back home to Tawas City where they would complete their family when their daughter, Tammy, was born. The couple would move a few more times. Always moving forward and building a stronger family bond. Eventually, they moved to KawKawlin, MI where they have resided for over the past 30 years raising their family on the values of respect, honesty, faith and love.
Darla had several small jobs throughout the years but her greatest and most important job was love and being a homemaker. Teaching her children how to cook many of the family recipes and how to care for a family and a home. Her care and love spread to several people in her life throughout the years.
She enjoyed traveling to various parts of the country. Alaska, Route 66, Texas, Wyoming But her greatest trips were to California to see her daughter Tammy, Mike and her grandchildren. Her passion and favorite thing to do was hunting. Darla shared over 43 years straight of annual hunting seasons with Ray. Many of those years her children were a part of and then her grandchildren joined in.
Darla is survived by her husband and love of her life of 55 years, Ray Heckman. Her children, Les (Missy) Heckman of Rhodes MI. Larry (Tabbitha) Heckman of Pinconning MI. and Tammy (Mike) Hagler of Eureka CA. Grandchildren; Cody (Sarah), Crysta (Matt), Falicia, Johnathon, Katlin, Justin (Jenae), Allyson, Ethan, Trenten, and Davin. Her great grandchildren; Elias, Oliver, Julian, Aiden, Jasper, Easton, Dalton, and great granddaughter Hayden and her sister Carolyn Bunting, sister-in-law, Louise Duve, aunts Loris Goedecke, Jeanne Goedecke, and Lois Heckman. Along with many nieces and nephews.
Darla was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Florence Goedecke. Her brothers; Harold, Letson and Larry, and her sisters Luella, Margaret, Sally and Ellen.
Funeral service will be on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 4pm at Rivertown Funeral Chapel with Jim Beck presiding. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10am till time of service.