Wayne Edward Heckethorn, 86, of Ottumwa, died October 11, 2020 at his home. He was born August 17, 1934 in Ottumwa to Carl E. and Alice Fern Scott Heckethorn. He married Emma Collins August 23, 1953. A resident of Ottumwa all of his life, he served two years in the U.S. Army. He worked at Lowenberg Bakery for a short time before he married and then worked for 30 years for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Wayne enjoyed tinkering, working in the garage, fishing, golfcart camping and helping others. He loved to spend time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving is his wife, Emma; 6 children, Shelly (Darwin) Livingston of Ottumwa, Wayne (Diana) Heckethorn Jr. of Burlington, Mike Heckethorn and Mark Heckethorn both of Ottumwa, Alice (Tim) Howell of Bloomfield and Steve Berry of Ottumwa; 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Lane Heckethorn of Floris, Donald Heckethorn and Kenneth Heckethorn both of Ottumwa. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Linda Murphy; a brother, Ronald Heckethorn. Limited open visitation for friends will be 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 14th at Reece Funeral Home. Private funeral services will be 3 p.m. Thursday at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Dennis Ellenberger officiating. Military services conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion. For those unable to be inside the funeral home with the family, you may watch the funeral from the Reece Funeral Home Facebook page. Cremation will follow the service. Memorials may be made to the family.