Walter Heitkamp, 77, Mesa, Ariz., and formerly of Payne, passed away Dec. 2, 2014, in Phoenix, Ariz.

He was born Nov. 15, 1937, in Fort Recovery, to William and Veronica Dues Heitkamp. On June 22, 1957, he married Virginia Barth, who survives.

Also surviving are three children, Kim (Mark) Goodspeed, New Haven, Ind., Ruth (Steve) Woods, Monroeville, Ind., and David (Sonya) Heitkamp, Mesa, Ariz.; five grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

He was a 1955 graduate of Fort Recovery High School, a member of Divine Mercy Catholic Parish, the Knights of Columbus and the Adams Township Fire Dept. from 1968-73.

He worked at Fort Wayne Newspapers as a composing room machinist for 18 years then with Linotype Div. of Heidelberg USA. He retired Dec. 31, 1999, after 20 years of service but loved farming with the Yearling family for 46 years. In Mesa, Ariz., he worked part time at Home Depot and volunteered at Mount Vista Hospital.

Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Thursday at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Payne. Burial is at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.

Calling is 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9-9:30 a.m. Thursday at Dooley Funeral Home, Payne. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Memorials may be made for Masses.

Condolences may be left at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com.