Edward "Don" Heric, 87, Maria Stein, died at 12:29 a.m. Dec. 20, 2011, at County Community Hospital, Coldwater.

He was born July 12, 1924, in Escanaba, Mich., to Edward Elige and Ella Louise Papineau Heric. On March 10, 1947, he married Kathryn Mary Rasmussen, who died in 1994. In 1998, he married Lucille Menker Kleinhenz, who survives in Maria Stein.

Also surviving are three children, Steve Heric, Waukesha, Wis., Denise Shattuck, Newport News, Va., and Cinda O'Laughlin, Galesburg, Mich.; stepchildren, Steve Kleinhenz, Wilmington, Sue Kleinhenz, Dallas, Dave Kleinhenz, Maria Stein, Don Kleinhenz, Powell, Joann Medlin, Dallas, Mary Herrera, Portland, Ore., Sara Busse, Springboro, and Fred Kleinhenz, Maria Stein; two sisters-in-law, Rita Heinl, Maria Stein, and Ruth Stammen, New Weston; eight grandchildren; 15 stepgrandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Deceased are sister, Margaret Koehler and a brother, Theodore "Teddy" Heric.

He graduated from St. Phillips Catholic High School in 1942 and attended St. Norbert's College. He was a member of St. Phillip Catholic Church, Battle Creek, Mich., and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Maria Stein.

He worked at Battle Creek Enquirer and News as distribution center manager.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving on the USS Gambier Bay during World War II until the ship was sunk by enemy fire in the South Pacific. He was past president of the USS Gambier Bay CVE 73 VC 10 Association.

He was a member of Eagles Aerie 299, Battle Creek, a charter member and past president of the Northside Snowmobile Club of Battle Creek, a member of the American Amateur Baseball Congress, Battle Creek, and the Battle Creek Amateur Sports Association.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the Rev. Tom Brenberger officiating. Burial will follow later at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Battle Creek, Mich., with full military honors.

Calling is 4-7 p.m. Thursday and 9-9:45 a.m. Friday at Hogenkamp Funeral Homes, Coldwater.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.