Celeste Beatrice Saalfrank passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026. She was born on June 24, 1938 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was the youngest, along with her twin, of ten Heinkel children. She met her husband, Bob, while they were both working at Wayne Candies; she always said that she was a city girl and he was a country boy. Celeste & Bob were married in 1957 and she became a homemaker while they raised their five children. Their love story evolved into a large, loving family including 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren (with two more now on the way). Celeste enjoyed making homemade doll clothes and costumes for her daughter and grandchildren. Celeste was a faithful Catholic and a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Haven, Indiana for many years. She is survived by her children, Timothy, Linda (Spence) Spencer, Donald, Joseph (Kathy), and Gerry (Dinnie). Celeste was preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Saalfrank, as well as other loved family members. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, October 23, 2026 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1502 East Wallen Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825, with visitation one hour prior. Burial to follow the service at Highland Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Epilepsy Foundation or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church-New Haven.
