JOHN RICHARD HECKMAN, 78 WEST FRANKFORT - John Richard Heckman, 78, of West Frankfort, Illinois, formerly of Northern Illinois, died at 5:20 p.m. Friday, December 20, 2013, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. He was born on February 19, 1935, in Polo, Illinois to Paul and Frances (Schmiedebush) Heckman. John was an avid Cubs fan and loved his family dearly. He also had a "zest" for life and quite a passion for dancing. He is survived by his 4 daughters, Rhonda Byers (Steve) of Freeport, Illinois, Sarah Heckman also of Freeport, Donna Leonard of Golconda, Illinois and Linda (Jerry) Hose of Polo, Illinois; 7 grandchildren, Christina Brinkmeier (Scott Douglas), Ryan (Catherine) Byers, Paul (Tatiana) Terrock, Callie (Chris) Lhost, Liz (Mike) Rummel, Kala (Travis) Bonnell, Jerry Hose II; 12 great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Jasmynne, Sydney, Milana, Camilla, Dylan, Kylie, Sage, Lauren, McKenna, Natalie, Andrew; 2 sisters, Bertha Mae (Earl) Jacobs of Harmon, Illinois and Carol (Jim) Rogers of Cadiz, Kentucky; step-daughters, Toni and Linda and families. John was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Pauline Eddy; and late wife, Judith Wagner Heckman. A Celebration of Life will be held from 2 to 4p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2014, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Polo, IL.