Thelma G. Heckman

Thelma G. (Sturgis) Heckman, 94, Reading, died Oct. 19, 2011 in ManorCare, Spring Township.

Mrs. Heckman resided in Wyomissing prior to living at The Villa St. Elizabeth.

She was born in Lititz, a daughter of the late Mary (Smith) Sturgis and William A. Sturgis and granddaughter of the late Julius Sturgis who started the first commercial pretzel business in the United States in Lititz, which continues as a tourist attraction on its original location.

Surviving is her daughter, Betsy A. Heckman, Wyomissing, her 8 grandchildren, Angelique DeLong and Sean DeLong, Shillington; Kim-Jimi (Heckman) Leonard, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Timothy Lee Heckman, Reading, and Tara (Heckman) Seidel, Mohnton; Timothy Heckman, Galloway, New Jersey, Micaela Heckman and Lindsey Heckman, both of Reading, and 5 great- grandchildren, Derek and Jared DeLong, Shillington, Dylan and Cade Leonard, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Kaya Seidel, Mohnton.

Thelma was predeceased by her husband, Marvin C. Heckman, who died March, 1970; her sons, Barry C. Heckman, who died June, 1998 and Timothy A. Heckman who died September, 1996 and was the husband of Sherri Mull Heckman, Reading, and eleven siblings. Thelma was a member of Atonement Lutheran Church and her hobbies included writing poetry, playing scrabble and doing crossword puzzles.

A Memorial Service will be Thursday, October 27th at 11 a.m. in Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Blvd., Wyomissing. A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, at the above address to help defray the cost of the services. For online condolences, visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.