Joann Heck

JoAnn Joyce Heck, 82, of Kerrville, Texas, passed away Monday evening April 4th, 2016 from complications following a stroke. JoAnn was born July 21st, 1933, in Gettysburg, South Dakota, to Anna and Joseph Schneider. Her formal education began in a one-room country school-house outside Gettysburg. Typical of that area of the country, she learned life skills on the farm. Her family threshed grain for the west side of the county whereas her suitor's family managed the east side of town. She married Melvin William Heck sixty-six years ago on February 21st, 1950.\r\n\r\nJoAnn was a homemaker in the true sense of the word. She supported her life partner's roles in local law enforcement and his transition to federal service with the Border Patrol moving to south Texas, North Dakota, Montana, and west Texas. Retirement brought them to Kerrville in 1985. \r\n\r\nShe managed a household of 3 sons and one daughter: Michael, Timothy, Larry and Renée. Known for her apple pies, sewing expertise and quick wit she taught her children the value of family. She was proud to be called Grandma by Christina (Heck) Whetsel, Andrew Heck, Sarah (Heck) Dean, April (Heck) Avila, Erin Heck, Emily (Heck) Wedel, Timothy Heck, Jr., William and Simon Heck. Her crown jewels are the great grandchildren: Norah Whetsel; Michael and Caroline Heck; Vincent, Quentin, and Averille Avila; and Aleczander Wedel.\r\n\r\nDuring her thirty plus years in Kerrville JoAnn created her niches. She played an instrumental role in the Kerrville Classic car club where she coordinated events to raise scholarship funds and served as president for two years. She enjoyed the fellowship of the Hill Country Quilt Guild and spent time with the Notre Dame Catholic Church welcoming members as an usher and telling stories while assembling bulletins.\r\n\r\nJoAnn is preceded in death by her parents, three siblings, and her eldest child Michael. She is survived by her spouse Melvin, three children, nine grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren with one on the way.\r\n\r\nThe Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13th, 2016, at 10am at the Notre Dame Catholic Church, 909 Main street, Kerrville, Texas, 78028. A reception will follow the funeral service in the parish social center.\r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in memory of JoAnn to Freeman-Fritts Animal Shelter http://www.freemanfritts.com/, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/, or an organization of choice.\r\n\r\n