Ray Robert Heckel

November 21, 1951 - October 8, 2018

Ray Robert Heckel 66, of Bradley passed away October 8, 2018 at Riverside Hospital in Kankakee. Ray was born in November 21, 1951 in Kankakee, the son of Glenn and Hazel Dement Heckel. Ray worked 35 years as a social worker at Shapiro Developmental Center before retiring. Ray had an immense love of music and enjoyed playing his beloved guitars for many years. Ray never married but spent 40 happy years with the love of his life Debra Mear. Surviving are the other loves of his life, his inherited daughter Tyesa Mear of Kankakee, daughter Layna Brannock and son in law Craig of Bradley, and son Aaron Heckel and daughter in law Rachel from Champaign. He is also survived by two grandchildren Sydney Lauridsen and Parker Heckel, as well as his brother Jon Heckel and sister in law Cathy. He had many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are both parents. Visitation for Ray will be from 5-7 pm on Saturday October 13 and a memorial service will follow at Jensen Memorial Chapel in Bourbonnais. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the families wishes.