John R. Heid, age 87, of West Bend, passed away on Monday, January 1, 2008 at Cedar Bay East.
He was born on May 30, 1920 to the late Frank and Edna (nee Chase) Heid in Galena, IL. At a very young age John's family moved to West Bend where he attended grade school and eventually graduated from West Bend High School in 1938.
John served his country during WW II as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. Upon his return home from the war John began working as a mechanic for the local Ford dealership.
He was united in marriage to Leilah Feiten in West Bend on May 29, 1946. Together they were charter members of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. She preceded him in death in September of 1996.
During the late 1950's, John became the owner and operator of the DX Gas Station in West Bend. He made many good friends while there, but he soon sold the business to pursue a career as a maintenance mechanic for the Washington County Highway Department, where he worked for over 25 years. Following his retirement in the early 80's, John served as an alderman for the city of West Bend.
John enjoyed challenging himself to a good cross word puzzle. He loved sports, especially baseball, and never missed the sports page in the paper. He was one of the first residents of Cedar Bay East and in recent years he enjoyed spending time with old friends from high school who were also residents there.
John is survived by his three children, Carol (Jack) Hebert of New Berlin, Michael (Diane) Heid of Urbandale, Iowa, and Thomas Heid of Port St. Lucie, FL; five grandchildren, Laura and Katie Hebert, and Allison, Matthew, and Jason Heid. He is further survived by a brother Roger Heid of Minneapolis MN; and many other dear relatives and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his brother Don Heid.
A funeral service in honor of John will be held on Friday, January 4, at 6:00 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home. Fr. Jeffrey Haines will officiate. Visitation with the family will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 5:00 pm until the time of service at 6:00 pm. Burial will be in Holy Angels Cemetery on Saturday at 10:30 am.
Memorials to Cedar Community (5595 County Hwy Z West Bend, WI 53095) would be greatly appreciated by the family.