John Henry Heck, 68 passed away June 28, 2023.  John is the son of the late Harvey and Velda (Morrow) Heck.  John was born on March 10, 1955, in Shawano, WI.

John was born with cerebral palsy and was confined to a wheelchair most of his life. This did not stop John from living a fulfilling life.

John’s childhood was spent growing up in Bonduel at Dehn’s ice cream factory.  What child wouldn’t love an ice cream factory.  John ate his share of ice cream every day.  Some of his fondest memories of the factory were washing the ice cream pails.  Everyone who knew him can repeat a story from John’s factory time. The people that worked in the factory loved to tell him jokes, as we all know John loved a good joke.  The best jokester was the ice cream salesman, Donnie.

John attended Bonduel public school.  Here he made many acquaintances.  When he was ready for high school John went to a private school in Kansas City, Missouri.

After he moved back home John and his parents moved to Shawano, to a wheelchair accessible home on the channel.  John spent the next 47 years in the programs at Lakeland Industries in Shawano. John attended right up to his passing. He considered Lakeland Industries as his employment and school.  Lakeland provided unique opportunities for John.

After John’s parents could no longer care for him, he moved into a Community Alternatives living facility.  This is where John spent his final years. John has all the Leave It to Beaver DVDs.  He spent many hours watching his beloved Beaver.  He also enjoyed Lawrence Welk.

John was involved in the CP Center in Green Bay from its beginning.  He had therapy at the center and swam there until just a few years ago.  John looked forward to the telethon every year.  John and his mother often appeared on TV during the telethon to talk about John’s progress.  He met many famous people along the way.

John loved to participate in community activities.  Water skiing with Shawano Ski Sharks was always an adventure for him.  He also enjoyed the snowmobiling outing with a local snowmobiling club.  John participated in bowling with a local group.

John had an award-winning personality, smile and laugh.  These are the qualities that helped him get through life.  Everybody loved Johnny, especially his devoted Grandmother Ella Zernicke Morrow.  The family hopes she is holding his hand once again.

The family can never thank all the people in John’s life that helped him get this far.  From the neighbors and friends in Bonduel to the neighbors and friends in Shawano, they were always there for John and his family.  All his family at Lakeland Industries, where he spent 47 years.  Cara, Amy, Kathy and Sandra, to name a few, and the whole staff, thank you for everything you have so graciously and lovingly provided for him.  The care givers at Community Alternatives past and present, Helen, Cindy, Toni, David, Ken and Julie and the rest of the staff, thank you so much for everything you provided so John could live a fulfilling life.  We also want to thank the staff at Theda Care for the comfort and support they provided for John and his family.

John is survived by a nephew Christopher Heck.  He is also survived by his cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parents Velda and Harvey Heck and his brother

Michael Heck.

A funeral service for John will be held at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano at 11:00am on Saturday, July 1, 2023, with Rev. Loretta Waegli officiating. The burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano.  A visitation will be held at the funeral home in Shawano on Saturday from 9:30am until the time of the service.