Robert Lee "Poppy" Heckber

Robert Lee "Poppy" Heckber, age 80, of Union City, MI and Surprise, AZ, died Saturday morning, July 20, 2013 at the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence of Battle Creek, surrounded by his loving family.
Bob, the son of Clifford and Glenola (Gillardo) Heckber, was born on December 6, 1932 in Poe, IN and moved to Athens, MI in 1942. He was a 1951 graduate of Athens High School and served his country honorably as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War. He retired in 1988 as Truck and Grounds Supervisor for Post Cereals of Battle Creek after 37 years of faithful service. Bob had many hobbies including motorcycles, John Deere tractors and racing stock cars. Betty and Bob were members of the Michigan Motor Home and Foretravel Clubs and toured 49 States. He was an excellent mechanic who could fix "Anything". After retirement, he and Betty wintered in Surprise, AZ and summered in Union City, MI. Bob will be greatly missed by all the lives he touched.
On November 21, 1970 Bob was united in marriage to the former Betty Jean (Cawood) Forsyth. Surviving is his wife Betty Jean; his daughter, Elaine C. (Benjamin) Begley of Shawnee, OK; his step-daughter, Judith A. Riess of Battle Creek; two step-sons, John P. (Deborah) Forsyth of Battle Creek and Michael C. Forsyth of Redding, CA; eight grandchildren, Robert Begley, Shelley (Matthew) Scoles, Kevin Riess, Misty Atkinson, Tara Nicholson, Damon (Jeanette) Begley, Todd Begley and Julie Kamp; sixteen great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joan Chadwick and a brother, Gerald Heckber.
The Memorial Service to celebrate Bob's life will be held on Wednesday, July 24th at 1:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek, where friends will be received from Noon until service time at the funeral Home. The Rev. Dr. James M. Gysel will officiate the Memorial Service. Interment will be in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob's honor may be directed to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.