Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Kenneth "Red/Fletcher" Paul Heczko, 79, of Ironwood, passed away on Feb. 28, 2024.
He was born on March 7, 1944, in Ironwood. Kenneth attended Norrie School for primary education and graduated from Luther L Wright High School in the Class of 1963. He furthered his education at Gogebic Community College.
Ken married the love of his life, Virginia L. Phillips, at Salem Lutheran Church on Oct 2, 1965. They made their home in Ironwood, where they raised their three children.
Kenneth served in the National Guard from 1965 to 1972. He was a heavy diesel mechanic at White Pine Mine in White Pine, from 1966 to 1997. Kenneth enjoyed working on old cars, trains, snowmobiles, camping and watching his grandchildren grow.
He worshipped at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, John Heczko and Gertrude Elma West Heczko; brother, John Harold (Sonny) Heczko; sisters-in-law, Marsha Kaquatosh Heczko and Kristine Phillips Bennetts; brother-in-law, Gerald "Gerry" Bennetts; and nephew Brian Bennetts.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Phillips Heczko; daughters, Jean Heczko of Ironwood, and Kim Sheffner-Heczko (Brian Sheffner) of Riceville, Iowa; son, Todd Heczko of Nashville, Tennessee; and grandchildren, McKayla Heczko (Kalvin Christensen) of Spring Branch, Texas, Morgan Koenigs, Ashley Koenigs, Tori Koenigs and Jacob Sheffner-Heczko of Riceville. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
A visitation and service will be held on Friday, July 19, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m. and lunch in the church basement. Following the service, the burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Regional Hospice, Amy Colt of Village Caregiving in Appleton, Wisconsin, and all the other caregivers that have helped Ken over the years.
The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Ken's legacy of life. You can leave condolences or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
