Donald A. Hecht, 83, of Muscatine, died on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, at his home.
A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17 at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Reverend David Wittmann of Spangler United Methodist Church officiated the service. Honorary bearers were his great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Makenzie, Natalie, Brayton and Tinley Hecht. Casket bearers were his grandchildren: Tyler Hecht, Tanner Hecht, Savannah Hecht, Cali Van Zandt and Paige Van Zandt-Moody and his nephew, Matt Strajack. Burial took place in Greenwood Cemetery. Following the interment a time of food and fellowship was held at New Hope Methodist Church.
Visitation was held from 1 until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Muscatine Humane Society or the Spangler United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be left at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Donald Alfred Hecht was born on April 21, 1935 in Muscatine, the son of Alfred and Myrtle (Snider) Hecht. He graduated from Muscatine High School, class of 1954. He married Janet Shield on Sept. 13, 1959 at the Spangler Chapel in Muscatine. They had two children, Bryan and Beth.
He worked for Continental Baking Company delivering Wonder Bread and then Hostess products for 35 years before retiring in 1993. He and Janet also owned the A&W Drive-In from 1972 until 1979. They then opened H&H Maytag Laundry with Janet’s sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Ed Hogan, in 1981. They retired from that in 2001.
He was a member of Spangler Chapel, Elks Lodge No. 304, where he severed as Exalted Ruler from 1969-1970, and the Muscatine Moose Lodge. He enjoyed motorcycle riding, boating, NASCAR and had a pilot’s license. He also served in the Iowa National Guard.
Donald is remembered by his wife, Janet Hecht of Muscatine; his children, Bryan D. (Dori) Hecht of Plainfield, Indiana and Beth (Joe) Van Zandt of Muscatine; five grandchildren: Tyler (Amanda) Hecht of Coatesville, Indiana, Tanner Hecht of Greencastle, Indiana, Savannah Hecht of Plainfield, Indiana, Cali Van Zandt of Muscatine and Paige (Austin) Van Zandt-Moody of Richmond, Kentucky; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Nancy (Jerry) Strajack of Muscatine; and a niece and several nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
