Dean David Heckman

Dean Heckman, age 92, of Adair passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center.

Dean David Heckman was born August 8, 1934 to Emil and Ada (Wedemeyer) Heckman in Adair Iowa. He was the youngest of 9 children. Dean was raised in Adair and attended school there graduating Adair High School in 1951. After graduation he worked for his brother-in-law Fred Scarlett driving a semi truck hauling heavy equipment.

He married Mary Ann Spangler on September 5th 1954 at New Bethel Methodist Church in rural Adair. After their marriage they moved to Marshalltown Iowa where he worked with his brothers Walt and Paul Heckman building houses.

In 1958 he and MaryAnn moved back to the Spangler family farm and he farmed with his father-in-law Beryl Spangler for 40 years. After the death of Beryl he continued to farm and in 2020 he and the family accepted a Heritage Farm Award for being owned by the family for 150 years.

After retiring he started building houses for Quality Homes and he and Mary Ann worked for Guthrie Center Assembly. The couple also worked for Youth for Understanding, an exchange program, for 20 years placing students from many countries in area schools. YFU started their love for traveling and in doing so they visited some the foreign students they had placed in the U.S.

Yes, was the answer you received anytime you asked if he wanted to try something new, one of his favorite stories was winning “best dressed” at a leisure suit convention at Val Air Ballroom wearing borrowed suit and shoes.

In 2019 he and Mary Ann built a home and moved to Adair.

He was a member of the New Bethel Methodist Church w here he taught Sunday school and was a youth leader, when New Bethel closed he moved his membership to Adair Methodist Church. Dean was also a member of the Adair Community Foundation Board, the Adair Lions Club and Greeley Mutual Insurance Co.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leonard, Glenard, Burdette, Walter and Paul, and sisters June Huff, Iva Scarlett and Ruth Moore also two brothers in law James Marquis and Merle Noland.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, sons Kevin (Judy) and Brian (Sherri) and daughter Mary Renee (Brian Thielges). 7 Grandchildren Laurie, Angela, David, Kelly, Nikki, Eric and Trent. 9 Great Grandchildren Zander, Emma, Landon, Will, Tori, Emily, Anaka, Ben and Ryder.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Adair United Methodist Church with Pastor Bob Rhoads officiating.

A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.

Visitation with the family will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of The Midwest or the Lions Club of Adair and can be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523 Atlantic, IA 50022.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair is assisting with arrangements.