Thomas J. Heichel "Chief".
With family at his side, Thomas passed Friday, March 20, 2015 after a long and courageous fight with cancer.
Tom was born in Ashland, Ohio and graduated from Loudonville High School in 1958.
Tom served his country in the Army National Guard of Ohio, spent many years in the automobile industry followed by perusing his dream of law enforcement graduating from the police academy in 1971.
He began his career with Blendon Township in 1972 and served the community as Chief of Police for 32 years.
Tom was a member of the Westerville Community United Church of Christ.
Tom was a friend to everyone, had a love of helping others, and had a natural talent for woodworking and fixing just about everything.
Tom enjoyed his retirement staying busy with an infinite list of projects, gardening, and "picking". He never met a piece of barn board or rusty metal he couldn't repurpose into a keepsake masterpiece.
Tom leaves behind his loving wife of 39 years, Jan Heichel; daughters, Janice (Willie) Horn, Amy (Aaron) Duerr, sons Corey (Becky) Heichel, Kyle (Sarah) Heichel; grandchildren, Ashley, Ryan, Nicholas, Lucas, Carter, Olivia, Ella, Kinley; brothers, Bill (Lourene) Heichel, Steve (Linda) Heichel; sister, Mary Heichel; and a whole bunch of other folks who loved him.
Visiting will take place Wednesday, March 25th from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at MORELAND FUNERAL HOME, 55 E. Schrock Rd., Westerville, Ohio.
A funeral service will take place Thursday, March 26th at 10:30 a.m. at the Westerville Community United Church of Christ, 770 County Line Rd., Westerville, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Kobacker House or Loudonville High School Industrial Arts Woods Program C/O John Lance Principal. -
Moreland Funeral Home
55 E. Schrock Road Westerville, OH 43081
614-891-1414
Published in The Columbus Dispatch on Mar. 23, 2015