Ralph Tyson Heck

Ralph T. Heck, 91, of Nokomis, IL.  passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024.

Ralph was born on July 23, 1932, in Bardolph, IL to Fred D and Imogene (Tyson) Heck.  The family of 8 relocated to Nokomis in 1944 when Fred accepted a position at Nokomis Grain.

After graduating from Nokomis High School in 1949, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard.  He and his high school sweetheart, Gail Jeanine Morgan married in 1952 and relocated to Boston where they spent 3 years while Ralph served his country.  They returned to Nokomis in 1955 and began their family and Ralph, his career.

Ralph 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.

Ralph 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.

Ralph 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.  Ralph and Gail 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 23rd in his memory.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Bill, Bob and Herb), a sister, Marge and his youngest daughter, Gina (Gonet), just last fall.  He is survived by wife of 71 years, Gail; a  brother, Earl of Hernando, FL; 3 children – Jay Heck (Carrie) of St. Charles, IL, Tami Monahan of Nokomis, and Jayne Hebrank (Jeff) of Ladue, Mo; 5 grandchildren – Brant Livingston of Dallas, TX, Breann Gray of Dallas, TX; Spencer Heck of Chicago, Madison Gonet of Highland, IL, Nic Gonet of Edwardsville, and Luke Hebrank of Ladue, MO; 4 step-grandchildren,  5 great grandchild and 4 step-great grandchildren.

Private arrangements are being handled by Stiehl Dawson Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, May 3, 2024 from 3 PM - 5 PM at the The Debot Pub in Nokomis.

Memorials can be sent to Nokomis-Witt Ambulance Service, 10 Brandon Lane, Nokomis, IL  62075.  They were so kind to Ralph.

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