Lawrence R. Heckathorne, age 52, of McHenry, died Friday, February 20, 2015, after battling pancreatic cancer, at his mother’s home with his mother, daughter, and Aunt Donna at his bedside.

Lawrence was raised on a small farm on Pleasant Valley Road in Woodstock. He attended District 200 Woodstock schools, and excelled in sports, including football, track and baseball.

Lawrence worked in construction in Illinois, Wisconsin and Arizona until 2007. His next career was as an on-board service attendant for Amtrak with his favorite run being Chicago to Portland, Oregon and back aboard the Empire Builder.

Lawrence enjoyed cooking and improving many dishes with his own touch. He also loved the beautiful voice and music of Sarah Brightman. She touched his life with Phantom of the Opera, Fleurs du Mal and Symphony.

Survivors include his daughter, Rachael Hansen of Chicago, his mother, Janet Adams of McHenry, his brother, Eugene (Dorothy) Heckathorne of McHenry, his sister, Marilyn Kay (John) Hill of Belvidere, his aunt, Donna (Earl) Hass of Woodstock, and his best friend of 48 years, David (Wendy) Mucha of Round Lake.

He was preceded in death by his father, his loving maternal grandparents, John and Aimee Emery (formerly of Woodstock), and his step-father, Bill Adams.

Friends may visit with his family from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at Justen Funeral Home & Crematory, 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road, McHenry, IL 60050. The memorial service will be at 5 p.m. in the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in his name to Centegra Sage Cancer Center, Rt. 31 & Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050 or to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, P. O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101, or a charity of one’s choice

For information, please call the funeral home at 815-385-2400, or visit www.justenfh.com, where friends may leave an on-line condolence message for his family.