Edna Heckel

Memorial services are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 12, at First Presbyterian Church for Edna L. Heckel, Artesia, New Mexico.

Mrs. Heckel, 87, died Sunday, March 7, 2010 at Artesia Good Samaritan Center.

Rev. Dan Phelps and Rev. Paul Duerksen will officiate at the services. Cremation is under direction of Terpening Son Mortuary. No visitation is planned.

Edna was born January 9, 1923 in Artesia the daughter of Harry R. Carder and Georgia Caldwell Carder. She graduated from Artesia High School in 1940 and attended Eastern New Mexico University majoring in music. She also served in the United States Womens Army Corp during World War II and was a member of the WAC Army Band at Fort Stark, S.C.

On July 6, 1945 she was married to Willard Bill Heckel in Charleston, S.C. He preceded her in death March 1, 1990. She was also preceded in death by her parents and by two brothers and one sister.

Edna was retired office manager for Artesia Good Samaritan Center and was Assistant Librarian at the College of Artesia from 1966 to 1971. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder and Deacon and taught Sunday School and was an active member of the Artesia Band Boosters and served as its president from 1965 to 1970.

Survivors include a daughter Sandy Schuetz and husband Jim of Artesia a son Paul Rusty Heckel and wife Janet of Los Lunas, N.M. grandchildren Rob Schuetz and wife Tory of San Angelo, Texas, Chelsea Seronka and husband Chad of Beaufort, S.C., and Andrea Heckel of Albuquerque, N.M. greatgrandchildren Michael, Abigail, and Maggie Lynn all of Beaufort and several nieces and nephews great nieces and nephews and greatgreat nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to VistaCare Hospice, 611 N. Canal, Carlsbad, NM 88220 or to First Presbyterian Church, 402 W. Grand Ave., Artesia, NM 88210.