Leonard “Len” Heling, age 88, of Clintonville passed away Thursday, August 22, 2019 at his home.
Leonard John Heling was born on September 21, 1930 in the Town of Deer Creek, Outagamie County, to Walter and Hulda (Wissman) Heling. Len grew up on a dairy farm in Bear Creek. He left home at the age of 14 and worked many different jobs before going into the military. He entered the U.S. Army and served stateside during the Korean War. Len was united in marriage on February 9, 1951 to Esther Mae Kolosso at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Big Falls. Len and Mae lived in the Clintonville area for many years and were blessed with two sons. Len was employed at FWD Corporation in Clintonville for a number of years prior to starting his own business. He did lots of projects around the Clintonville area as Len Heling Excavating and Concrete. Then he began recycling and salvaging all sorts of things. Len always stayed active and never truly retired. For over 65 years, Len was a proud member of the American Legion Post 63 of Clintonville. He was a pilot who enjoyed flying and pushing the envelope. He also liked playing the slot machines at the casino. Len was a real people person and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He will be remembered most for his outgoing personality and his wonderful sense of humor.
Survivors include a son, Leonard (Gail) Heling of Shawano and a daughter-in-law, MaryAnn Heling of Neenah. There are five grandchildren: Carrie (Roger) Heling of Shawano, Casey Heling of Bonduel, Shannon (Kersten) Heling of Pulaski, Shane (Gina) Heling of Oshkosh, and Danielle Heling of Neenah. There are three step-grandchildren: Jaimee (Matt) Brady of Cape Girardeau, MO, Angela Quinn of Green Bay, and Charles (Krystal) Gordon III of Wittenberg. He is further survived by fourteen great-grandchildren, five great-step-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, two great-great-step-grandchildren; one sister, Erna Bock of Bear Creek; and many other relatives and friends. Len is preceded in death by his son Michael Heling; a daughter-in-law Joanne (nee Wied) Heling; two younger sisters, Alice Mae and Violet Heling; and two brothers, Ervin (Lavern) Heling and Clarence Heling.
Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, August 28th at 11:00 a.m. at Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville. Rev. Kurt Hettinga will officiate, and inurnment will be at a later date at Friendship Cemetery, Town of Belle Plaine. Military Honors will be provided at the funeral home by members of the VFW Post 664, American Legion Post 63, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63, all of Clintonville. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.
We especially wish to thank Patti Peters, CNA, with Stay-at-Home Care for the compassionate attention provided to Dad.