John Heim

MOUNT HOREB/CROSS PLAINS - John Heim closed his eyes for the last time on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, after 103 remarkable years. Although we shall miss him, we take comfort in the sure knowledge that he has been reunited with his beloved wife and other family members in Heaven.

“Jack” (as he was known by family and friends) was born on Feb. 4, 1920, to Loretta Dobner and John M. Heim. The oldest son, he was raised in Milwaukee with his six siblings, and attended St. John’s Cathedral High School after receiving a scholarship. Soon after graduation he joined his sister, Gen, and her new husband, Ralph, in California, where he found employment at Lockheed Martin Aircraft Company installing the cockpit controls of the new P-38 Lightning. After the U.S. became involved in World War II, he was asked to remain with Lockheed for another year because of the need for experienced installers to increase production of the fighter for the war effort. Jack then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and after training as a radio operator, was sent to Ford Island in Hawaii, where he received orders (and a machete and raincoat) to “ship out” to the Philippines. Good fortune (and God’s grace!) shone on him, and he was pulled from the line by a naval officer looking for someone with excellent office skills. His rank was changed to Yeoman 2nd Class, and he continued to serve in that capacity in Hawaii until 1946.

After his discharge, Jack returned to Milwaukee where he met Bernadette Poker on a blind date. The next day he told his mother he had met the woman he was going to marry.   They were married on Dec. 27, 1947, and later moved to Elm Grove where they raised their children, John and Mitzi. Jack was a devoted family man and his union with Bernadette was to last 72 years until her death in 2020. After retirement from Prudential Insurance Company, the couple moved to Arizona where they spent many happy years. They returned to Wisconsin in their later years to be closer to family.

Jack was a consummate “music man” who loved to entertain family and friends on the organ and piano. He used his musical skills to play the organ for services at his local parish in Arizona as well as volunteer at nursing homes entertaining the residents. He continued to play the organ until several weeks before his death. He was a devout Catholic who put his faith in God. He was blessed with an optimistic attitude and gregarious disposition. It is amazing that up until his last months he remained in contact with so many family members and friends!

Jack is survived by his son, John A. (Mary); and daughter, Annette “Mitzi” Buggy (Jack); grandchildren, John D. Heim, Lisa Yoo (Brian), Kate Buggy, Sara Sungkapan (Shane) and Megan Chitel (Jake). He is further survived by seven great-grandchildren (with an eighth on the way); his sisters-in-law, Betty Heim and Dolores Stekiel; brother-in-law, Dr. William Stekiel; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernadette; his siblings and their spouses, Gen (Ralph) Thompson, Margaret (Elmer) Zellner, Richard (Audrey) Heim, Ruth (Gordon) Prestby, Raymond and Tom Heim; and sister-in-law, Mary Jane (Al) Sachen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023, with Father Scott Jablonski presiding.  Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday. Entombment will follow in the church cemetery.

A big thank you goes out to the staff at Inglehaven Assisted Living for the compassionate care they provided Dad this past year; to Mark, Jessica and all the amazing staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their excellent care and support; and to Cheryl at St. Francis Xavier for her visits. Last but not least, we’d like to thank his dear friend, Jane, for the many hours she spent visiting, singing and praying with him these past few years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Francis Xavier Endowment Fund or to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Jack was a kind and gentle man who will be missed by many.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com <http://www.gundersonfh.com>.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761