Ralph T. Heck, 91, of Nokomis, died peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, May 3, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Depot Pub in Nokomis, located at 590 North 5th St. Private arrangements are being handled by Stiehl Dawson Funeral Home.
Mr. Heck was born on July 23, 1932, in Bardolph to Fred D. and Imogene (Tyson) Heck. The family of eight relocated to Nokomis in 1944 when his father accepted a position at Nokomis Grain.
After graduating from Nokomis High School in 1949, Mr. Heck enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. He and his high school sweetheart, Gail Jeanine Morgan, were married in 1952 and relocated to Boston, MA where they spent three years while Mr. Heck served his country. They returned to Nokomis in 1955 and began their family and Mr. Heck, his career.
Mr. Heck spent the next 52 years at Mohawk Furniture and Hardware. He purchased the business from Fred B. Johnson in 1971 and was well known for opening the store after hours for anyone who asked, extending house credit to many, and helping deliver appliances until he was 75.
Mr. Heck was very generous with his time in support of the community. He served on the board of directors for the First National Bank of Nokomis, Memorial Park and Hillsboro Hospital and was also a member of First Methodist Church, Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Ansar Shriners, American Legion and the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as fire chief.
Mr. Heck loved his St. Louis football and baseball teams. He enjoyed gas-powered fun, owning a ski boat and taking the family to the lake every Sunday for 50 years, and snowmobiling with friends and family. Mr. and Mrs. Heck enjoyed traveling together, and they made many friends along the way. He was respected and loved by many, and his family will miss him dearly. There will without doubt be a Crown Royal toast raised every July 23 in his memory.
Mr. Heck was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Bill, Bob and Herb; sister, Marge; and his youngest daughter, Gina (Gonet), just last fall.
He is survived by wife of 71 years, Gail; brother, Earl of Hernando, FL; three children, Jay Heck (Carrie) of St. Charles, Tami Monahan of Nokomis and Jayne Hebrank (Jeff) of Ladue, MO; five grandchildren, Brant Livingston of Dallas, TX, Breann Gray of Dallas, TX, Spencer Heck of Chicago, Madison Gonet of Highland, Nic Gonet of Edwardsville and Luke Hebrank of Ladue, MO; four stepgrandchildren, five great-grandchildren and four stepgreat-grandchildren.
Memorials can be sent to Nokomis-Witt Ambulance Service, 10 Brandon Lane, Nokomis, IL 62075, who were so kind to Mr. Heck.
