OBIT: Christian C. HECKLE, 1945, Summit Twp., Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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CHRISTIAN C. HECKLE

C. C. Heckle Died After End of 85 Well Spent Years

  Christian C. Heckle, prominent retired farmer of Summit Township, died at his 
home two miles west of Meyersdale, on Friday, Dec. 21, at 4:45 p.m., after about 
one week's illness of double pneumonia.  He became ill the previous weekend and 
did not leave his bed after Sunday, Dec. 16th.
  Mr. Heckle was born in Lincoln Township, Oct. 22, 1860, the son of Christian 
and Mrs. (Ferner) Heckle.  His father was a leather finisher by occupation.
  As a youth he worked on farms and attended the township schools and after he 
grew up prepared himself for the teaching profession in normal schools at Ada, 
Ohio, and California, Pa.
  He taught in the public schools of Ohio and Pennsylvania for 14 years, his 
services as a teacher always being appreciated both by pupils and parents.
  It was while teaching in Summit Township, Somerset County, that he became 
acquainted with and married, Miss Elizabeth Meyers, a daughter of the late 
Samuel P. and Maggie (Peck) Meyers, after which he quit teaching and bought from 
his father-in-law the ancestral Meyers farm in Summit Twp., on which he lived 
and prospered the remainder of his life.
  Mr. and Mrs. Heckle were married on April 6, 1897, and lived together very 
happily more than 48 years.  No children were ever born to them, and besides his 
beloved wife he leaves no close relatives.
  One sister, Mrs. Sophia Grove Steele, of Seattle, Wash., died several years 
ago.  His mother was married three times, and he had one half-sister who died 
many years ago at the age of 7 years.  He also had two half-brothers, both now 
deceased, one of whom was the late Rev. C. R. Ferner who was a minister of the 
Reformed Church and a prosperous businessman and banker of Mount Pleasant, Pa.
  Mr. Heckle was a lifelong member of the Reformed Church and member of the 
official board of Amity Reformed Church of Meyersdale for many years, holding 
the offices of deacon, elder and trustee.
  In politics, Mr. Heckle was an ardent and loyal Republican, always taking keen 
interest in the election of good men for local, county, state and national 
offices.  He served as school director a number of terms and also held other 
township offices, and served one four-year term as a member of the Board of 
County Commissioners, so acceptably that he would undoubtedly have been re-
elected if he had not stepped aside in favor of one of his good friends and 
neighbors who had announced himself as a candidate for the office.
  Mr. Heckle was in every respect a good citizen, a good farmer, a sociable and 
genial neighbor and kind friend to all who knew him.
  Funeral services for Mr. Heckle were held at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon at the 
Price Funeral Home where many friends called and attended to show their respect.  
The rites were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Nelson C. Brown, assisted by Rev. 
Kenneth A. Ashman of the Main Street Brethren Church, pastor of Mrs. Heckle.  
Interment was made in Union Cemetery under direction of W. C. Price & Son.
  Among the pallbearers was Prof. D. H. Bauman, one of Mr. Heckle's boyhood 
teachers.  The other pallbearers were Daniel Long, Lloyd Peck, Harry Martz, W. 
H. Holzshu and Eugene Bowman.

Meyersdale Republican, December 27, 1945