Daniel David Heckmun was born July 14, 1945 to Dan and Ruth Heckmun in the small town of Neeha, Wisconsin. He joined an older brother Bily and sister Elane. Dan lived on the family farm until age six when his family sold the farm and Dan and his dad and mom moved to Culbertson, Montana. His father ran a shoe shop that was located where the office side of the Larson Lumber building now stands. Dan and his parents lived in the back part of that building.
Dan lost his dad when he was 12 years old. Dan’s first job was sweeping floors and odd jobs at the Gamble Store across the street from his home.
Dan went to front end school and worked in an alignment shop in Sidney, MT. While in Sidney he also worked for a fiber glass fabrication shop.
He started and ran a paint and body shop behind the old Evans Hotel.
On July 18, 1973 Dan married Evelyn Sweet. To this marriage was born three sons, Danny Ray, Bucky Lee and Randy Joe.
Dan was never permanently employed by any one. He worked for just about everyone. He worked a lot for Joe Walkonis and Rommie Ellerkamp.
In his later years Dan lived in a little house next to his son Danny Ray.
Dan fought a courageous battle with cancer. He left this earth to join his family in Heaven in the early morning hours of September 11, 2016.
He is survived by his wife of many years Evelyn Heckmun, and four sons David Daniel, Danny Ray, Bucky Lee and Randy Joe and his wife Debbie.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, a brother Billy and a sister Elane.