Mr. Donald David Heikkinen, age 78, of Lillington died Thursday, February 17, 2011 at Rex Rehab and Nursing Center of Apex. He was born in Ramsay, MI , the son of the late Jacob and Kaisa Emilia Heikkinen. Donald was the youngest of eleven children of Finnish immigrants. He briefly attended the University of Michigan before joining the US Army as a First Lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne during the Korean War. In 1956, he married Patricia McRae at Summerville Presbyterian Church in Lillington. He continued his education, receiving a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Mathematics and a Doctorate in Math Education all from the University of Michigan. He taught mathematics at the University of Northern Iowa for five years from 1963-1968. He then accepted a position as head of the math department at Northern Michigan University later becoming Dean of the School of Arts and Science. He held this position for seventeen years until his retirement in 1992 to Lillington, NC.

Funeral service will be 3:00 PM Sunday, February 20, 2011 at Summerville Presbyterian Church, Lillington with Rev. Bill Pauley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia McRae Heikkinen of the home, daughter, Ruth Heikkinen Ahearne and husband Paul of Asheville, two grandchildren, Andrew and Kathryn Ahearne, brother, Arthur Heikkinen of Howell, MI, sister, Lillian Kelto of Munising, MI, mother-in-law, Cathryn McRae of Lillington, numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Summerville Presbyterian Church, PO Box 640, Lillington, NC 27546.
Funeral service will be 3:00 PM Sunday, February 20, 2011 at Summerville Presbyterian Church, Lillington with Rev. Bill Pauley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.