Ronald Lee Heckenlively was born February 27, 1943, in Waterloo, the son of Gideon and Florence Moots Heckenlively. He served in the Marine Corp Reserves.

Ron married Jeanne Kaye Skinner on July 11, 1966 in Freeport, Illinois. He was a maintenance welder for John Deere, retiring in 2003 after 29-1/2 years.

Ron is survived by his wife Jeanne, daughter Veronica (Jim Greenhalgh) Tangeri of Waterloo, sons Mike (Lisa) Heckenlively of Waterloo and Rob (Teresa) Heckenlively of Osceola, Missouri, seven grandchildren: Brittney Tangeri and Daniel Tangeri; Brady Heckenlively and Jessica (Taylor) Hahn; Brandon Holdt and Kaj Heckenlively; two great‑grandchildren Carter and Emma Tangeri; and mother‑in‑law Betty Skinner of Jesup.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Don, Richard and Ray; sisters Nannette Heckenlively and Pauline Wilson; and father‑in‑law Birthel "Gene" Skinner.

He enjoyed woodworking and working on his Model A car as well as playing on the computer, BBQ grilling, and following Nascar’s Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Johnson… but he especially took pleasure in teasing the ones he loved.  Ron was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.