Mark Leo Heckman, 71, of Lower Burrell, passed away at home Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, surrounded by his immediate family. Mark was the oldest of two siblings, and shared a beautiful bond of friendship with his sister, Mary Lee. He was born in McKeesport and grew up in Whitehall, where he went to elementary school at St. Gabriel's and high school at St. Elizabeth's. Mark graduated with a bachelor's of arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and later also completed his master's of education degree at Pitt, and he was a loyal fan and supporter of the Pitt Panthers. He met his wife, Mary Jane, at a bar in Oakland, during his college days.

Mark began his professional career at the Pennsylvania Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation as a rehabilitation counselor, but soon after demonstrated his lifelong entrepreneurial spirit by starting his own company, Interpose, with a few partners. He maintained various small and independent business ventures in the vocational rehabilitation sector until his death. He had an incredible work ethic, and enjoyed both his company's business and marketing activities, as well as the mission of helping match people with disabilities with the right job for them. Towards the end of his life, he still kept busy serving as an expert witness and advisor for Social Security hearings and litigation proceedings via his personal business, Heckman Enterprises. He talked about retirement, but couldn't quite bring himself to leave the work that he loved completely.

Mark loved to listen to the Beatles and the classic rock artists he heard at Woodstock, enjoyed traveling and golf with friends, and frequently sipped on Jack Daniels, Yuengling and red wine (on ice). He was a devout Catholic and often showed his generous and charitable spirit.

Mark was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, uncle, cousin, "Papap" and friend to so many. Mark enjoyed bragging about his kids and grandkids and making jokes with his quick wit. He viewed life with a "glass-half-full" attitude, and always had a welcoming smile on his face. To know Mark was to love him. He will be extremely missed but never forgotten.

Mark was the beloved husband of Mary Jane Heckman, of New Kensington, for 49 fabulous years; loving father of Matthew Leo Heckman, of San Francisco, Calif. (Melissa), and Jocelyn Ann Hood (Jeffrey), of Oakmont; dear brother of Mary Lee Wolf-James (Tom); and adoring "Papap" of Lily Jane and Ella Rose. Mark was kind, generous and wise beyond measure. For 71 years, Mark made the world a better place.

Mark was predeceased by his father, Leo Hugh Heckman and his mother, Mary Alice (Halterlein) Heckman.

Friends and family will be received from 1 to 3 p.m., and later from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 16, at the GUINTA-BERTUCCI FUNERAL HOME INC., 1509 Fifth Ave., Arnold, PA 15068, JohnPaul Bertucci, owner/supervisor.

A Funeral Mass will be held for Mark on Friday, September 17th at 10 A.M. at Mt. St. Peter Church, 100 Freeport Road, New Kensington, PA 15068. Everyone please meet at the church if you are attending the Funeral Mass.

The burial service will be held following the funeral Mass at Greenwood Memorial Park, 104 Melwood Road, Lower Burrell, PA 15068.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society (https://svdppitt.org/donate) or the Mount St. Peter Food Bank (https://www.mountsaintpeter.org) in Mark's name, in loving memory of his devotion to charitable causes and the Church. To leave online condolences, visit www.giunta-bertucci.com.

Everyone attending the funeral home or the church services, please wear a mask.