On June 3, 2026, the Heckler family experienced the heartbreaking loss of Derek Heckler after his courageous battle with cancer. Derek was a devoted husband, loving father, dedicated carpenter, wrestling coach, and loyal friend whose kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to his family touched countless lives. Throughout his illness, Derek faced every challenge with remarkable strength and resilience while continuing to put others before himself. He was deeply involved in his children's lives, proudly supporting his daughter Cecilia at cheer competitions and coaching his son Ethan in wrestling. His love for his family was evident in everything he did. As Brittany, Cecilia, and Ethan navigate the difficult days ahead, many friends, family members, and community members have asked how they can help. This page has been created to provide opportunities to support the Heckler family during this challenging time. There are several ways to help: • Sign up to provide meals for the family. • Send gift cards for groceries, restaurants, gas, or everyday necessities. • Make a monetary contribution to help ease financial burdens and support the family's ongoing needs. • Volunteer to assist with household tasks, yard work, transportation to activities, errands, childcare support, or other needs that may arise. No act of kindness is too small. Whether you prepare a meal, offer your time, send a gift card, make a donation, or simply keep the family in your thoughts and prayers, your support will help provide comfort and relief during this difficult season. The Heckler family is incredibly grateful for the love, generosity, and support of their community as they honor Derek's memory and continue forward together. In lieu of flowers, contributions made through this page will directly support Brittany, Cecilia, and Ethan as they adjust to life without Derek. Donations can be made directly to the family at this link: http://spot.fund/dw52p3vsc
As you plan meals for the Heckler family, please keep in mind that Cecilia and Ethan are children with kid-sized appetites and preferences. Including a child-friendly option, simple side dish, snack, or dessert is greatly appreciated and can help make mealtimes a little easier during this difficult time. Please also note that Cecilia is lactose intolerant. If you are bringing milk or dairy-based beverages, the family typically uses Lactaid milk. Cecilia can generally tolerate small amounts of butter, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, but larger quantities of dairy may cause discomfort. Thank you for helping provide comfort, care, and support to the entire family during this difficult time. For offers of childcare, transportation, housecleaning, lawn care, home repairs, or other in-home support services, please contact Brittany directly before signing up. Coordinating these types of assistance helps ensure that support is provided when it is most needed and allows the family to manage scheduling and privacy during this difficult time. Brittany can be reached at [email protected]. Thank you for your understanding and for your willingness to help.