Rev. Dr. Johnny R. Heckard

June 12, 2015

Rev. Dr. Johnny R. Heckard was born August 14, 1954, in Monroe, Louisiana. He departed this life on Friday, June 12, 2015, in the Cleveland Clinic Hospital. He was preceded in death by his father, Jessie Bryant. He was reared in Toledo, Ohio where he received his elementary and high school education. He excelled in sports. After graduating from high school, he served nearly 20 years in the Air Force, the Air National Guard, and the Air National Reserves at Wright Patterson, receiving an honorable discharge. On September 20, 1975, he married the former Christine Coley. Together they had 4 children. Dr. Heckard received his call into the ministry in 1982 and was ordained in 1985 after graduation from Calvary Bible Institute of Toledo, Ohio with a Bachelor of Religious Education. Later, he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Counseling, Master's of Religious Education and Divinity from Liberty University and Theological Seminary in Virginia. He also earned a Ph.D. from the University of Biblical Studies and Seminary in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1994. He also earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Liberty Theological Seminary in 2005 and a Doctor of Theology from Louisiana Theological Seminary in 2007. He served for 10 years as an Adjunct Professor at the Midwest Bible College and Seminary in Mansfield, Ohio, and Liberty University Theological Seminary in Virginia for 2 years. In 1998, he was called to Pastor the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Mansfield, Ohio. In 2008, Dr. Heckard founded the Word Church of Mansfield Ohio where he served as the Senior Pastor. He was also employed at the Hospice of North Central Ohio as a Bereavement and Grief Counselor. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 39 years, Christine; his 3 daughters, Tawana Craddolph, Tamika Jackson, Johnetta Heckard and son, Aaron (Olivia) Heckard. He also has three grandchildren, Savannah, Brian, and Jordan; his mother, Stella Elliott; 8 sisters and 7 brothers; numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Thursday, June 18, 2015, 5-7 p.m. at Maddox Memorial C.O.G.I.C., 1148 Walker Lake Road, Mansfield, OH. Family hour will be Saturday, June 20, 2015, at 11 a.m. funeral service to follow at 12 noon, Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. John E. Roberts will officiate. Interment Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements by Dale-Riggs Funeral Home. www.dalefh.com