CHICOPEE – Robert W. “Bob” Heatwole, 88, of the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. He passed into Eternal Life at Birch Manor in Chicopee surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia on June 14, 1924, a beloved son of the late Elmer W. and Elsie (Ailstock) Heatwole. At a young age, his family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland where he was schooled and raised. In 1943, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served his country during World War II with the 1252nd Army Air Forces and attained the rank of Private First Class. In 1945, he reenlisted and served his country in the United States Army Air Forces with the 160th Base Service Squadron and attained the rank of Sergeant. He received the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. He was discharged in 1948 from Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee. Bob and his wife, Blanche, made their home in the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee where he lived for the remainder of his life. He was employed for over 35 years at the former Hamilton Standard Company which is now Hamilton Sundstrand a Division of United Technologies in Windsor Locks, Connecticut and retired in 1987. He was a communicant of the former Saint Patrick Church in Chicopee Falls. Bob was a quiet man who adored his family and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Blanche A. (Prainito) Heatwole. They were married on May 27, 1946 in Saint George Church in Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa and were blessed with over 66 years of happiness together. He also leaves his six loving children, Donald R. Heatwole and his wife, Suzanne of Chicopee, Robert L. Heatwole and his wife, Marilyn of Chicopee, Linda A. Greenia and her husband, Stanley of Coral Springs, FL, Betsy M. Gillette and her husband, Greg of Chicopee, Mark R. Heatwole and his wife, Patricia of Layton, UT and Virginia L. Heatwole of Chicopee; his seven cherished grandchildren; his eight cherished great grandchildren; his two dear sisters, Margaret S. Collins and Betty Lou Farmer and her husband, Bobbie, all of Maryland; and his many dear nephews and nieces. A private funeral and burial with Military Honors at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam will be held for his family. There are no public visiting hours. His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020.The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimers Association, 264 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com