Dates
Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Janet Rosalie Heckaman, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Jan was born on February 24, 1934, in Rowena, Texas, to Velma and Joseph Kohutek. Jan married Carl W. Heckaman on October 2, 1953, in San Angelo, Texas, where they lived their life together, raising two daughters, Rene’e and Regay.
Jan and Carl's greatest joy was spending time with their children and grandchildren. You could often find them enjoying the great outdoors together. Jan loved fishing and hunting and taught all of her grandchildren how to fish at the family farm in Knickerbocker, Texas. Jan's greatest passion was being with her family, and she selflessly cared for each of them throughout her life. She also loved all of her dear friends and looked forward to being with her dinner groups and playing bridge, poker, and bunco. Jan also enjoyed keeping up with Angelo State University sporting events and watching football and basketball games of her grandchildren's college alma maters—Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University.
Jan is preceded in death by her husband, Carl; her daughter, Regay; her mother, Velma Kohutek; her father, Joseph Kohutek; and her stepfather, Jerry Najvar. She is survived by her daughter, Rene'e, and her husband, Mickey Long. She is also survived by her three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Amy King and her husband, Brad, and daughter Kate King; Andrea Tirey and her husband, Christopher, and daughters Caroline, Margaret, and Charlotte; and Clancy Hall and his wife, Megan, and sons Callan and Myles. She is also survived by her sister and best friend, Jeri Russell, and many dear nieces and nephews and their families, including David Russell, Flip Russell, Jen Schumacher, and Val Ciesynski.
Each grandchild had a special connection with their grandmother, and Jan loved each of them and their spouses deeply. Jan's great-grandchildren also brought her much joy, and you could often find them playing dominoes or cards together. Watching the children grow and enjoy their lives was her greatest joy of all - she was always reminding them that life is short and every moment is precious. Jan enjoyed a deep connection with all of the children throughout the years, and each of them will miss their "Nana" greatly. Jan was a kind and extraordinary woman who loved deeply and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
Her love of family, her wisdom, and her words of encouragement were on display until the end. Our family would like to thank Jan’s many devoted friends, who she loved dearly, as well as her caregivers for their compassionate care and kindness, which brought comfort to Jan and her loved ones.
A private burial will be held at Fairmont Cemetery, in San Angelo, Texas, at Jan's request. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the charity of your choice in Jan’s honor.