Mark Heckman

HECKMAN - Artist Mark Heckman has put the finishing touches on a colorful life filled with creativity, originality and a determination to make a difference with his paint brush, leaving behind a large portfolio of work that proved artistic expression need not be confined to galleries or museums. His two-year battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma ended on May 6, 2010, but not before he had exhibited the same tenacity that distinguished his career. Featured on the pages of both Time and Newsweek by the age of 27, Heckman turned the billboard canvas into a medium for provocative messages about various social, political and environmental issues. He employed equal measures of art, advertising and showmanship to attract the attention of the average person to his unique understanding of the world at large. His work covered a wide range of topics including racism, homelessness, recycling and deforestation. In 1989, he drew international awareness to the issue of AIDs when he created a billboard using 2,001 condoms dipped in paint. On a local level, he caused controversy when he proposed a mammoth molar monument for the Grand River to honor Grand Rapids as the first city to fluoridate its water system. His appreciation for "green" issues led him to create a children's picture book about an environmental superhero, which will be published later this year. Among his many other accomplishments, he had the honor of paining the portrait of President Gerald R. Ford for the state capitol in Lansing, and designing the logo for the production company of actor Dustin Hoffman. Over the years, he was fortunate to receive the generous support of many individuals and organizations, most notably Peter Wege and the Wege Foundation. In addition to his passion for art, Mark was an enthusiastic skier and bicyclist, devoted Detroit Red Wings fan and avid dog lover. He is survived by his wife, Diane; his faithful sidekick, Tank; his parents, Dan (Chris) Heckman and Connie Heckman; his brother, Scott (Lori) Heckman; and sister, Karen (Dave) Lehigh; father and mother-in-law, Ray and Norma Umlor; in-laws, Joyce (Craig) VanHoutum, Karen (Norm) VanDyke, Nancy (Fred) VanDyke, Lois (Rick) Schoenborn, Steve (Mariann) Umlor, Leanne (Rob) Armock, Denise (Chris) Grzybowski; 26 nieces and nephews; and his two close friends, Wayne Gagnon and Mark Newman. The family is thankful for the many medical professionals who worked valiantly on Mark's behalf, as well as the kindness of Faith Hospice during his final days. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Mark's life on Tuesday, May 11 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Family Center, 6390 Belmont Avenue in Belmont, from 6 to 9 p.m., with a special tribute at 7 p.m. Memorials can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Pederson Funeral Home Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com