Obituary for Gerald J. Heck

Gerald J. Heck died Thursday, August 20, 2009, at 10:00 P.M. at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Waukon, IA after a short illness. He was 89 years old. Gerald was born July 12, 1920, at Clermont, IA, to Tofield and Anna Ruesser Heck. He attended grade school at Clermont, then high school at Elgin in the class of 1939. As a young man he was an outstanding baseball pitcher. He pitched for the Wadena town team for two years. He entered the U. S. Navy in 1942, during World War II. He was sent to the South Pacific and served from January 1942-September 1946. He was a cook and often remarked that his outfit had the best chow in the Pacific. He married Claire Baldwin on July 12, 1947. They farmed a rented farm near Elgin for four years, and then moved to a farm near Postville which they purchased and still lived. He loved his family, farming, fishing and visiting with his friends. He is survived by his wife Claire of 62 years, his two children, Candace K. Heck, Long Beach , CA and Jerry J. Heck (Kathie) Waukon, IA; 2 granddaughters, Dacia Heck, Chicago, IL and Dr. Danielle Lonning (Dale), Dubuque, IA, 2 great grand daughters, Alexis and Ava Lonning. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, Dr. Kenneth Heck and Wendell Heck. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A memorial service will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church, Postville, IA, at 5 PM on Saturday, August 29 with visitation at 4:00 PM at the church.