We mourn the loss of our Father, Gael Norman Heck, 98, who crossed the bridge on June 17th to reunite with the love of his life, Lea.
Born in Anita, Iowa on January 7, 1925 to John and Alvah Heck, he helped his parents farm until entering the US Navy in June of 1944 during WWII. Dad was assigned to the destroyer, U.S.S. Knapp, as a Machinists Mate, 3rd Class and was on board in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese surrender. Shortly after leaving the Navy in 1946, he met our mother, Lea Donna Phillips, and they married in 1947. While living at Jeffrey Lake, Brady, Dad worked for the Union Pacific Railroad before starting his own heavy equipment business, Gael Heck Land Improvement. Later they moved to North Platte where Dad volunteered as a VA van driver and at many other places. There were three of us kids born to this happy union: Bradley, Kyla, and Janiece (Jan).
Dad and Mom loved to travel and they enjoyed their motorcycle. They were married for 71 years before Mom left us in September 2018. He missed the love his life every day until his passing.
Dad was also preceded in death by his parents, John and Alvah; Clyde (brother); Marian Rosenblad (sister); and our sister, Kyla (sp. Carl Cox). He is survived by a son, Bradley (June) Heck of Huntingdon, TN; daughter, Jan (Brian) Lipinski of North Platte, NE; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and extended family.
Viewing and visitation with family will be at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, 1616 W. B St., North Platte, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Graveside services with military honors will follow immediately after at 11:00 a.m. at Fort McPherson National Veterans Cemetery, south of Maxwell. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.