Heichel

Donald E. Heichel, 82, of Butler died at his home early Saturday morning.

He was born in Butler on Sept. 22, 1929, a son of Joseph R. and Wyona Douthett Heichel.

Don was a retired maintenance welder employed for 28 years at Armco, now AK Steel, and retired in April 1992. Before that he had been service manager at the former Universal Motors Co., the Buick dealership that was on North Main Street for 17 years.

He was a member of the St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler and a member of the Butler Farm Show, AARP, and the American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora.

A veteran of the Korean War, he had twice served in the U.S. Army, serving two enlistments.

A outdoorsman, Don enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his love was flying. A private pilot for over 60 years, he logged more than 5,000 flight hours and was a licensed flight instructor who taught private, commercial and instrument flight and single engine landings. In 1983, he founded the Moraine Flying Club at the Butler Farm Show airport.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Osche Prebula Heichel, who he married April 4, 1992. He also is survived by his three daughters, Claudia Hart (Dr. Robert Hart, Ph.D,) of Venice, Fla., Susan Heichel of Butler and Connie L. Heichel of Sarasota, Fla.; his son, Dr. David J. (Lynn) Heichel, M.D., of Marquette, Mich.; two stepsons, Edward J, (Susan) Prebula of Butler and Christopher J. (April) Prebula of Dover, Del.; one stepdaughter, Julia (Kevin) Casey of Dublin, Ohio; three sisters, Dorothy Mercatell and Donna Palmer, both of Butler, and Helen Liell of Kansas City, Mo.; 11 grandchildren, six great- grandchildren; and his former wife, Jane Brophy Heichel.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Richard, Joseph and Harry Heichel, and two sisters, Thelma Marra and Virginia Scarpetti.

<B>HEICHEL </B>— Friends of Donald E. Heichel, who died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, will be received at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Paul Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler. Military honors will be added at the completion of the Mass at the church by the Honor Guard of VFW Post 249, Butler, and American Legion Post 778, Lyndora. Following cremation, interment will be at Greenlawn Burial Estates.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.