Obituary

Lonny L. Heckman, 38 of Northampton passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at home. Born June 15, 1969 in Allentown, he was the son of Leonard Heckman and Linda (Bartholomew) Suranofsky and stepson of Carl Suranofsky with whom he resided. Lonny was a talented aspiring song writer who recently wrote a song that was broadcast on the Howard Stern radio program on Sirius. The song When I see Beth Smiling was so well received that it was to become a part of the upcoming nuptials between Stern and his fiance Beth. Lonny was to hear his song Thursday evening sung by Tommy Shaw of Shaw/Blades but his life long battle with diabetes took his life before this dream could become reality.

Survivors: In addition to his parents he is survived by wife, Cindy L. Keller-Heckman; sisters, Lynnette A. Houser and husband Ronald, Lorelle L. Stofko and husband Kyle; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends who mourn his loss. He will be sadly missed by his companion animals Sonnet, Kili, and Trinity. Services: Funeral at 11 a.m., Monday, December 3, in the George G. Bensing Funeral Home, Inc., 2165 Community Dr., Route 946 Village of Moorestown-Bath. Interment will follow in Arlington Cemetery, Whitehall. Viewing 6-8 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Contributions: In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family c/o the funeral home.

Profile

Lonny Heckman was a songwriter who penned the song "When I See Beth Smiling" for his idol Howard Stern and Howard's fiancee Beth Ostrosky. He died on November, 27, 2007, at age 38 from a pulmonary embolism. He had suffered from diabetes since age 15 and subsequently had kidney and eye problems as well as other complications.

Heckman found a little fame before his death when Howard began playing "When I See Beth Smiling". The song was covered by many people in a variety of styles, including the band, Shaw Blades. On November, 28, 2007, Shaw Blades posted a tribute on Lonny's MySpace page:

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Lonny Heckman today. Though we never met, the power of music drew us together to create something bigger than us all. Our sympathies go out to his friends and family. As the Righteous Brothers once sang, "If there's a Rock'n'Roll Heaven, you know they've got a hell of a band." Now they have a new songwriter. Shine on brother...
Tommy Shaw
Jack Blades
(Shaw-Blades)

Lonny had planned to attend Shaw Blades concert on November 29, 2007, but instead his family attended.