Robert Charles Heckel

Robert Charles Heckel, 88, of Espyville, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at Cambridge Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where he had resided since 2008.

Born February 7, 1926 in Pittsburgh, he was the son of Gorman and Margaret Smith Heckel.  He married Palma G. Napolitano on May 3, 1958 in Penn Hills.  She preceded him in death on November 20, 1998.

Bob served our country in the United States Navy from 1943 until honorably discharged in 1946 and held the rank of Water Tender 3rd Class.  He earned an American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and a European-African-Middle Eastern Commendation during his time in the Navy.

For 20 years, he worked as a steelworker for Crucible Steel and also had worked for twenty years for Universal Cyclops until he retired in 1984.  After retiring he and Palma moved to the Espyville area.

Bob was a member of St. Philip Roman Catholic Church.  He was very active at the church and enjoyed playing bingo there .  He was also a member of the North Shenango Senior Center in Espyville and the Lakeland Senior Center in Linesville.

Survivors include a nephew, John W. Grine III of Inverness, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a sister, Dorothy Fertig; and a brother, Richard Gorman Heckel.

A graveside memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, March 20 at St. Philip Cemetery, 401 S. Mercer St., Linesville with Father Chris Hamlett, pastor of St. Philip Church, officiating.  Full military honors will be provided by the Huidekoper  Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006.

Arrangements are under the direction of Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, 6028 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville.

Please share a condolence or memory of Bob for the family at royalcolemanfuneralhome.com.