Richard Heldt

Richard P. "Dick" Heldt, 68, of Battle Creek died at Battle Creek Health System on Saturday, January 16, 2010. He was born July 31, 1941 in Flint, Michigan to Aaron and Rose Ann (Vavricka) Heldt. Dick lived most of his life in Battle Creek and was a 1960 graduate of St. Philip Catholic Central. He graduated from the computer programming curriculum at Davenport College. He was employed at Denso Manufacturing, retiring in 2007 as a computer program analyst. Dick was united in marriage to the former Bonnie M. Laine at St. Jerome Catholic Church on May 1, 1965. Surviving is Bonnie, his wife of 44 years; two sons, James "Brad" (Oyun) Heldt of Killeen, TX, Michael Heldt of Galesburg, MI; two grandchildren, Joshua Heldt and Justin James Campbell; three sisters, Marianne (Larry) Swanson of Galesburg, Gretchen (Bill) Teachout and Bernadette "Bunny" Heldt both of Battle Creek; two brothers, Roger (Nancy) Heldt and Steve (Mary Mitchell) Heldt both of Lansing, MI and a sister-in-law Judy A. Heldt of Battle Creek. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Jan Heldt and by a brother, Rodney Michael "Mike" Heldt. Dick enjoyed cooking and serving breakfast to veterans at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where he was a volunteer with fellow employees from Denso Manufacturing. He enjoyed computers, model trains and working in his yard. Friends may call after 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home where they will be received by his family 6:00-8:00 p.m. Deacon Al Patrick will officiate funeral services to celebrate Dick's life at the funeral home 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 21, 2010. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society or a charity of one's choice.