Melani "Mell" An Heckethorn Obituary (1964 - 2024)

Melani An "Mell" Heckethorn of Stockport, IA changed her address to her Heavenly home on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 after a lengthy illness. A celebration of her life will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA with Pastor Danny Cary officiating. Cremation will take place following the service with burial to be held at a later date in the Spencer Cemetery near Stockport. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield with the family present to greet friend from 5:00 p.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions in Mell's honor may be directed to the Stockport Legion or to the Spencer Cemetery Association and left at the funeral home or mailed to Joe Heckethorn at 29349 - 115th St., Stockport, IA 52651. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com. Mell was born January 31, 1964, in Fairfield, Iowa to Dennis K. and LuEtta Wilhelm Fulton. Melani was blessed with two sons, Derek and Austin. She married Joe Heckethorn in 2009 and became Joe's right arm on the farm. Mell started school in Fairfield, IA before moving with her family to Delta, Colorado in 1980. She completed her schooling there, graduating with the Delta High Class of 1982. Mell had various jobs in Colorado which included Colorado Bank & Trust, Best Western Sundance, Whiting Farms, J&M Lumber, and others. She moved back to Iowa in 2005 and lived on the Wilhelm home place. She began working as a substitute mail carrier as well as at Cambridge in Fairfield, and Village Terrace Assisted Living in Keosauqua. She was a past member of Stockport American Legion Auxiliary. Mell was a very generous and hard-working amazing woman and made many friends. Her generosity extended on even after her death with her gift of donation through the Iowa Donor Network. Through the donation of her corneas, she was able to help give sight to those unable to see. Mell was a tough woman who survived breast cancer, broken bones and other surgeries. She was a farm kid from the moment she was born. When she was in high school, she loved driving the tractor on the baler for her father as well as surrounding neighbors. She kept an immaculate house, and her yard and flowers were always manicured perfectly. Mell loved her animals - horses, dogs, cats, birds and many farm animals. Left to cherish her memory are her husband Joe, son Derek Morgan, son Austin Watson, daughter-in-law Jennifer (Mike) Palmer, son-in-law Joe-Joe (Joanna) Heckethorn, Dad & Mom (the old folks as Mell called them) Denny and LuEtta Fulton, 2 grandsons, 3 granddaughters, nieces, nephews, one great grandson, many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family. She was predeceased by her brother, Marlin Fulton; her maternal grandparents, Louis and Marjory Wilhelm; her paternal grandparents, Harold and Dorothy Fulton, great grandparents, and a cousin Amy Bausk, and several others.