Albert Heitkamp

Albert “Al” Leo Heitkamp, 83, of Rockford, Ohio, entered into rest at 12:55 AM on February, 28, 2015 at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima. Al was born in Minster, Ohio on February 24, 1932 to the late Roman and Elanora (Schemmel) Heitkamp. He married Connie Sue Stetler on July 28, 1956. Connie passed on January 29, 2003. Al originally lived in Cassella. Al enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He moved to Rockford in 1956. He then went to work for General Electric in Decatur, Indiana. He retired from there after 25 years of service. All was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church; Celina VFW Post # 5713; and a member of the Honor Guard for the American Legion Post #508 of Rockford, Ohio. He was an avid sports fan and was a Little League coach for over 20 years. He also was in charge of the Rockford Little League program for 10 years. You could still find him cheering on the kids playing baseball or softball after his coaching years. He was a Parkway football fan when his grandson played. Al loved fishing and trying his hand at s. He would always cruise around town on his golf cart and checking out the latest news at TJ’s. Surviving Al are a son and daughter: Mark (Tina) Heitkamp of Rockford and Vickie (Kevin) Fultz of Orland Park, Illinois. Also surviving are brothers: Robert (Charlene) Heitkamp, Cassella, Ohio and Jim (Barb) Heitkamp, Piqua, Ohio. One sister: Janet Stevens of Lompoc, California and one sister-in-law: Rosie Heitkamp, New Bremen survive. Al had five grandchildren: Bryttany (Wes) Harrison, Venedocia, Ohio; Marcas and Peyton Heitkamp, Rockford, Ohio; Molly and Emily Fultz, Orland Park, Illinois. He was able to meet and spoil his Great-Grandson Dalton Harrison, as well. Preceding Al in death were 2 brothers: Paul and Joseph Heitkamp; 2 sisters: Mildred Heitkamp and Rogene Brown; 2 brother-in-laws: Tom Stevens and Russel Brown. Services for Al will be held at the St. Teresa Catholic Church, Rockford, Ohio on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 10:30 AM with Father Thomas Brenberger officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Family and friends may call at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home from 2:00 until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 3rd. A VFW Service will be at 7:00 PM and a Rosary Prayer service will begin at 7:45 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home. Military Gravesite rites will be held at the cemetery on Wednesday. Memorials may be made in honor of Al to the Rockford Recreation Legacy Fund or St. Teresa Catholic Church.