Mark Heckman

1955 - 2025

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the death of Mark "Sponge" Douglas Heckman, 70, of Pecatonica. Mark most enjoyed sharing life experiences with the love of his life, Jeri Beth (Sartorius) Heckman. Their exciting adventures took them all over: down rivers in canoes, to numerous concerts, and their annual trip to Jamaica among other places across the country. Mark was well known for his springtime passion that led him to head for the woods and country roads every spring - morel mushroom hunting. He knew all the secret spots and shared his knowledge selectively. If you went hunting with Mark, you were one of the few that he trusted to carry on the hunt once he couldn't. Mark was an avid enthusiast of a variety of hobbies. He enjoyed building and racing slot cars with the HORROC-HO Racers of Rockford group over the years. Outboard motors were an enduring hobby, he authentically restored many - amassing quite a collection over the decades. Being a curious person, he would spend hours researching an interesting fact or topic, which led him to be able to discuss almost anything with anyone. Mark was very proud to have been born and raised in Pecatonica, IL. He was the oldest son of Patricia (Mayer) Hutter and Don Heckman, born in 1955. He graduated from Pecatonica High School and attended Lincoln Barber College. He and Jeri briefly lived in Madison and Colorado. He worked as a barber in Madison and at the Razor's Edge in Roscoe. He enjoyed his work at Schmeling Lumber the most, knowing the nuances of the right wood for each project was a source of pride for him. Mark is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jeri; daughter Melissa (Jim) Highfill; grandsons Connor and Seamus Highfill; brothers Bruce (Janet Guffey) Heckman and Scott (Nancy) Heckman; step-siblings Terri Lee (Scott) Carle and Brian (Denise) Hutter; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and special friends and family, the Deckards and the Greenbergs. He is preceded in death by parents Don Heckman and Patricia and Don Hutter, and brother Kurt Heckman. As per his wishes, "a celebration of life for some knucklehead that was a good guy" will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Pecatonica American Legion, 403 Main St. Pecatonica, IL. McCorkle Funeral Home - Pecatonica Chapel assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, please bring your best memories to share for the family to read later.