Kelly Ann Heckaman

Kelly was born at Scott Air Force Base in Bellville, IL on September 25, 1958 to James and Patricia (Peters) Heckaman. She grew up in North Canton, Ohio and as a young girl had a love of horses. She was involved with 4-H and showed her beloved Quarter horse Bud for many years. She also spent hours at the local pool as a competitive swimmer. After attending Oakwood High School, she went on to graduate from Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, Massachusetts where she held the office of class president. Kelly earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, her master’s degree from Vanderbilt and her PhD from The Ohio State University. Her love of teaching led her to become a university professor at Northwestern State University in Louisiana, where she met her husband and the love of her life, Anthony. She finished her career at Valdosta State University in Georgia.

Kelly and Anthony married while living in Louisiana where they welcomed the light of their lives, their son Andrew. Kelly was also the loving stepmother to Anthony’s daughter Sara.

Throughout her adult life, Kelly was involved in a number of professional organizations as well as being a strong proponent of animal rescue. Due to her love of animals, she rescued and helped place many dogs and cats in new homes as well as opening her home to a number of abandoned dogs. She also rescued several horses over the years.

Anyone who knew Kelly knew how much she enjoyed being a mother and a wife and was touched by her compassion, kindness, and her fun sense of humor. She enjoyed the time she spent with Andrew, watching him attain his black belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of 8, and logging millions of miles driving him to and cheering him on at his soccer games and tournaments.

Kelly is survived by her husband, Anthony Scheffler, her two children, Andrew Heckaman and Sara Stokes, her mother, Patricia Heckaman, her two grandchildren, Ava, and JT Stokes, her three sisters, Tammy Biggins (Tim), Shannon Peterson (Lee), and Holly Robertson (Ben), and six nieces and nephews: Daniel and Benjamin Biggins, and Natasha, Annika, Ava, and Erik Peterson (Olive). We will all miss her more than words can say.

Kelly is preceded in death by her father, Dr. James Heckaman.

Per Kelly’s request, there will be a private memorial service for the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Kelly’s name to pelotonia.org/stefaniesteamofhope. Pelotonia’s mission is to raise funds for life-saving cancer research. Donations can also be made to aspca.org The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals