IONIA COUNTY, MI -- As the father of a special needs son, Luke Pohl had a glimpse into the life of Pewamo Elementary School Principal George Heckman that few others did.

The two were good friends and shared a common bond with special-needs children -- Pohl's son has autism and Heckman's son had severe cerebral palsy.

"When you have a son or daughter who needs care 24-7, that puts tremendous pressure on that family," Pohl said.

"A lot of times, something's got to give," he said.

State police say Heckman, 52, is suspected of shooting his 28-year-old son, Grant, then taking his own life with the weapon. The two were found late Monday, June 19, in a van along a dirt two-track off Tow Road near Boyer road in Montcalm County, southwest of Carson City.

Heckman, principal at Pewamo Elementary for 21 years, was scheduled to become the next superintendent of the Pewamo-Westphalia Community Schools in less than two weeks.

Pohl and Heckman both serve on the board of an organization called Austin's House, which helps plan, develop and secure long-term residential services for the disabled. The organization is named after Pohl's son.

Pohl spoke with Heckman on the phone over the weekend and saw him in person about two weeks ago. He knew that Grant had been sick recently, but never saw signs of any attitude change in Heckman.

"He wore a pretty good mask," Pohl said. "He didn't really let anything show."

He said Grant Heckman was non-verbal, confined to a wheelchair and in and out of the hospital.

"I think (George) saw his son suffer too much and too long," Pohl said.

Pohl, the Pewamo-Westphalia high school basketball coach, knew Heckman as a "faith-based guy" who was a champion for school children who needed a helping hand.

"He searched out the underprivileged kids and kids that struggled," he said. "The guy was an outstanding person. He was so selfless."

Pohl described Heckman as a "tireless worker" who had a tremendous wit. He could easily make others laugh.

"He was a guy that just gave and gave and gave," he said.

Despite having his hands full with his own son's needs, Heckman would volunteer to help Pohl's family at various times.

"We're going to miss him on our board and I'm going to miss him as a friend," Pohl said.