Obit: Heckendorf, Willard "Red" (1925 - 2005)

Transcribed by: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Heckendorf, Schwartz, Secard, Riutaa, Milewczyk, Malm, Van der Geest, Kleinschmidt, Voss, Streeter, Horath, Powell

---Source: Merrill Foto News (Merrill, Lincoln, Co., Wis.) Wednesday, 8 June 2005; page 16

---Heckendorf, Willard "Red" (17 Nov. 1925 - 3 June 2005)

Willard "Red" Heckendorf, 79, of 509 Liberty St., Merrill, died Friday, June 3, 2005, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

Red was born November 17, 1925, in Merrill, son of the late Max and Margaret Schwartz Heckendorf Sr. He married Margaret Secard in Merrill on June 11, 1949. She survives.

Red served in the U. S. Navy Air Force during WWII from 1943 until 1945. Red worked at Weinbrenner Shoe Company in Merrill for over 42 years. At the time of his retirement he was a supervisor for the company. Red was an avid sports enthusiast. He played quarterback for the former Merrill Foxes, and for many years was a pitcher for several fast-pitch softball teams, including the former "Tubby's Floor Covering"of Merrill. He was an accomplished woodworker. For 15 years he was self-employed making woodcrafts, calling his business the "Wood-Tick." His hobbies were numerous, and included remote control airplanes, reading and music. Red was active in the St. Francis Church Choir, and he joyfully played with the Milwaukee Harmonica Club. He was also a member of the Riverside Athletic Club up until the time of his death. Red was known in his family as "Grandpa Airplane," and he enjoyed spending time with his great-grandchildren.

Surviving besides his wife Margaret, Merrill; include daughter Jane (Bruce) Riutta, Green Bay; and JoAnn (Vic) Milewczyk and Patti (Benji) Malm, both of Merrill; sons Richard Sr. (Joni) and Steven (Sandy), both of Merrill; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; and brother Norman, Merrill. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter Jill, step grandson Craig Van der Geest, sisters Dorothy Kleinschmidt, Wilma Voss and Marion Streeter, and brothers Elmer, Lester, Marvin and Max Jr.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated Monday, June 6, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Merrill. Rev. James Horath and Rev. Edward F. Powell co-officiated. Burial was in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Merrill, with graveside military rites conducted by the VFW Post 1638 Honor Guard. The Taylor and Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, served the family. Memorials by be directed to St. Francis Catholic Church.

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