Thomas Heichel

HEICHEL

With family at his side, Thomas J. Heichel “Chief” passed Friday, March 20th, 2015 after a long and courageous fight with cancer.

Tom leaves behind his loving wife of 39 years, Jan Heichel, daughters Janice (Willie) Horn, Amy (Aaron) Duerr, sons Corey (Becky) Heichel, Kyle (Sarah) Heichel, grandchildren Ashley, Ryan, Nicholas, Lucas, Carter, Olivia, Ella, Kinley, brothers Bill (Lourene) Heichel, Steve (Linda) Heichel, sister Mary Heichel, his fur baby Jewellee, and a whole bunch of other folks who loved him.

Tom was born in Ashland, Ohio and graduated from Loudonville High School in 1958. Tom served his country in the Army National Guard of Ohio, spent many years in the automobile industry followed by perusing his dream of law enforcement graduating from the police academy in 1971. He began his career with Blendon Township in 1972 and served the community as Chief of Police for 32 years. Tom was a member of the Westerville Community United Church of Christ.

Tom was a friend to everyone, had a love of helping others, and had a natural talent for woodworking and fixing just about everything. Tom enjoyed his retirement staying busy with an infinite list of projects, gardening, and “picking”. He never met a piece of barn board or rusty metal he couldn’t repurpose into a keepsake masterpiece.

Visiting will take place Wednesday, March 25th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at MORELAND FUNERAL HOME 55 E. Schrock Rd. Westerville, Ohio. A funeral service will take place Thursday, March 26th at 10:30 am at the Westerville Community United Church of Christ 770 County Line Rd. Westerville, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Kobacker House or Loudonville High School Industrial Arts Woods Program C/O John Lance Principal.