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Bernard William Heckman was born August 20, 1923 in Valley City, ND, the son of John and Emily (Froelich) Heckman. He grew up on the family farm. Bernie was baptized at Zion Getchell Lutheran Church and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church.

     He attended rural school before attending Valley City High School. He farmed with his family. On March 7, 1945, he entered the US Army. Upon his discharge on November 8, 1946, he continued farming.

     On December 30, 1955, Bernie married Clarice Johnson in Moorhead, MN. They made their home in Valley City, where he was a rural mail carrier until retiring in 1990.

     Bernie was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley City. He also belonged to the Barnes County Wildlife Club and was a member of the VFW and the Eagles. He enjoyed hunting, bowling, and especially visiting with friends and family over a cup of coffee.

     He died on January 31, 2013 at Mercy Hospital in Valley City with family by his side. Bernie is survived by his wife, Clarice of Valley City; son, Greg of Glendive, MT, daughter, Dianne Heckman of Gig Harbor, WA; 8 grandchildren; a great grandson; a sister, Geneva Shockley of Valley City; and sisters-in-law, Ethel Heckman and Joie Heckman both of Valley City.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lawrence and Lloyd; and a sister, Dorothy Kilcrease.

     The funeral service for Bernard “Bernie” Heckman, 89, Valley City, ND will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 8, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley City. Burial will be in Memory Gardens near Valley City in the spring. He died at Mercy Hospital on January 31, 2013.

     Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel and will continue an hour prior to the funeral at the church on Friday.

     Funeral arrangements for Bernie have been entrusted to Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel.

     An online guestbook is available at oliver-nathanchapel.com.