Harry John Heppner, Jr.

Harry “John” Heppner Jr. 70 of Chetek passed away Friday June 2, 2017 after a brave battle with A.L.S. at the Mayo Health System Hospital in Eau Claire WI.  John was born December 31, 1946 in Wahiawa, Hawaii.  The son of Harry J. Heppner and Verna (Nielsen) Heppner.

Because John’s father was in the Army for thirty one years, the family moved to a number of states including a stay in Germany where they were able to visit many European countries.  He graduated from Roy J. Wasson High School in Colorado Springs, CO in 1966.  He joined the United State Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman attached to the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marians, Lima Company in Vietnam he also spent time at the Children’s Hospital in Vietnam.  His last duty station was in Corpus Christy, Texas.  After being honorably discharged in 1970, he returned to Colorado Springs, CO with his family.  While in Colorado Springs, he graduated from Alpaso Community College with a Business Degree.  He worked in the furniture business in Colorado Springs, and after vacationing in Chetek for three years, he purchased Crimson Hue Resort in Chetek in 1985.  During the summer months, he ran the resort and during income tax season he worked for Doris Bayer at Bayer’s Accounting Enterprises.  In 1995, he sold Crimson Hue Resort and worked for Doris Bayer full time.  On May 24, 1997, John married Diane (Larson, Candler), and in January, 1998, they purchased Bayer’s Accounting and Enterprise from Doris and changed the name to JD Hepp Accounting and Tax Service.  They owned and operated their accounting and tax business until October, 2013 when they sold to Lewis Family Enterprises Inc, (d/b/a H & R Block).

John’s interests were anything automotive including owning a 1976 Corvette and a 1995 Corvette, as well as many other makes and models of automotive transportation,  NASCAR, collecting die cast cars, and the list can go on.  Other interests were family vacations, fishing, remodeling/building projects and spending time with friends and family.  He was so happy to call Chetek “HOME”!

Over the years John was a member of Chetek United Methodist Church, Chetek Resort Owners Association, Chetek Masonic Lodge #277, Chetek American Legion, Vintage Voyagers Street Rods and Boy Scouts of America Troop 29.

John is survived by his wife Diane, one daughter Tammy (Steve) Anderson, Gunnson, CO; one son Michael (Amber) Heppner Navarre, FL; one step-son Kurt (Davika) Candler, Jacksonville, FL;  three grandsons Ronald Anderson, Gunnson, CO; Dylan and Tyler Heppner, Navarre, FL; and three granddaughters, Joelle and Margo Anderson, Gunnson, CO; and Taylor Heppner Navarre, FL; three sisters, JoAnn (Drake) Hawkins, Oceanside, CA; Kay (Marty) Evans, Longmount CO; Mary (Stephen) Johnson, Hinsdale IL; one brother Mark Heppner, Rice Lake, WI;  three brother-in-laws, Barry (Ruth) Larson, New Auburn, WI; Larry (Chris) Larson, Chetek, WI; and Jeffery (Patty) Larson, New Auburn, WI; and many nieces and nephews.  John was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Services for John will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Chetek United Methodist Church with Pastor Kim officiating.  Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 7 from 4-7:00 P.M. at Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at Church.  The Chetek Masonic Lodge #277 will have a service at 6:00 P.M.  Interment will take place at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. with Military Honors accorded following the luncheon at the church. Pallbearers are Bill Vincent, Mark Knapp, Chuck Harrison, Burt Hamm, Harold Fredrickson, Larry Behrendt.

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.