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LeRoy (Jiggs) H. Heller

11/26/1944 - 12/08/2024
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LeRoy “Jiggs” Harvey Heller took our Lord's hand and was peacefully led into heaven in the early morning of December 8, 2024, at Aurora Medical Center surrounded by love, faith, and the cherished memories of family, friends, and neighbors whose lives he touched.

Born to Harvey and Loureha (Henke) Heller, Jiggs grew up on a farm with a strong sense of hard work and community. After graduating from Rosendale High School in 1962, he served in the Air Force from 1965 to 1968, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. LeRoy took great pride in his service, often wearing one of his many Vietnam veteran hats and shirts. He would insist on wearing his silver Vietnam veteran coat whenever possible, a testament to his deep respect for his time in the military and the future that opportunity created for his family.

Jiggs married Janice Schmid on April 30, 1966, at Bethany United Church of Christ in Oshkosh.  They began their married life in Dover, DE, where he was stationed. Upon his return from Vietnam, they lived in Camp Douglas and then the Van Dyne/Oshkosh area.

Jiggs began his career at Lone Elm Cheese Factory and Tolibia Cheese before dedicating over three decades to Mercury Marine (1973-2005). After retiring, he and his wife moved to their beloved 50-acre plot of land in Hancock, where they built a home that became a gathering place for family events. Together, they cultivated a beautiful garden, pouring hours of labor and love into growing sweet corn and other vegetables. Their harvest was not just for themselves but was generously shared with others, a testament to the legacy of selflessness they passed down to their children and beyond.  In 2017, they moved to Winneconne where Jiggs spent many hours fishing from his pontoon boat and enjoying early morning coffee with his coffee buddies.

A lifelong sportsman, Jiggs found joy in hunting deer and turkeys, fishing, trapshooting, bowling, and softball. His martial arts practice reflected his discipline and love for competition. His involvement in community was evident through his memberships in the Van Dyne Sportsman’s Club, the Van Dyne Lions Club, and the VFW in Plainfield.

Jiggs was very proud of his children and was so grateful to have a close-knit family who loved and supported him, especially these last ten years with his many health issues. Jiggs believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior.  Daughter Amy would text a daily spiritual reading and when his eyesight was failing, would share by reading it to him.  The kids selflessly took turns staying with him for six weeks while Jan was hospitalized and recuperating. He was so grateful to be able to do hemo dialysis at home the past year-and-a-half. The kids would tease that he had at least nine lives (or 23)!  Among our great memories is renting a “Christmas house” where the whole family could stay and play our annual Texas hold ‘em poker tournament for the coveted possession and bragging rights of a Mickey Mouse trophy!

Jiggs is survived by his devoted wife, Jan. Together, they raised a loving family, including daughter Amy (Chris) Polzin of Greenville and her children: Major Jonathon Patterson of Hanover, MD; Ashe (Danielle) Patterson of Smithville, MO; and Erika (James) Crawford of Greenville. He is also survived by son Daniel (Lori) Heller of Greenville and his children: Ben Heller of Beaver Dam and Kate Heller of Oshkosh. Additionally, Jiggs is survived by son Aaron (Jennifer) Heller of Winneconne and his daughter, Presley Heller; and daughter Nicole (Mark) Weber of Mukwonago and her children, Riley Weber and Max Weber.

He also leaves behind step-grandchildren Nic Polzin, Chad (Shaun) McNichols, Cole McNichols, and Isabella (Richard) Morgan, as well as great-grandchildren Affaan Patterson, Ameen Patterson, and Alyce Polzin whose joy and laughter brought light to his life.

Jiggs is further survived by his brothers Howard Heller and Orville (Katie) Heller, sister Karen Koplitz, brother-in-law Walter Schmid Jr., and sisters-in-law Arloene (Pat) Blashka and Margery (Clay) Werner. Special cousins Jerry Berwald and Lorna Heller also shared in his life’s journey.

He is reunited in heaven with his parents, Harvey and Loureha Heller; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter Sr. and Elsie Schmid; his sister-in-law, Mary Heller; his son-in-law, David Bibbs; and his beloved aunts and uncles.

Jiggs’ legacy of love, humor, and perseverance through his many illnesses will forever remain in the memories of his family, friends, and neighbors. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 8 South 4th Street, Winneconne, WI, with a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m.  Entombment will be at the Shrine of Rest in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Jiggs will be deeply missed, but his love and faith will continue to guide those who knew him. His family wants to thank the hospital staff at Aurora who treated Jiggs and the family with kindness and respect as he prepared for his journey to heaven.

Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family. If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.

Scott W Paulson wrote on December 12, 2024
I'm still trying to believe that we've reached this time in life to where I lose my Uncle Jiggs to age and illness. It's so saddening as I first think of it. I've been living in Georgia over 40 years. Cousin Amy (we share same birthday) has always kept in touch with me and in the last 9 years up to date with Uncle Jiggs. She would let me know when he was having health troubles and I'd pray for the Lord's assistance to help him. I recall one time, after I prayed for Uncle Jiggs, I went out onto the porch and heard the flock of Turkeys in the woods doing their calls like it was a good sign for Jiggs! So cool. Amy kept me up to date always. Amy said at one point that Jiggs wanted to see Trump win, so I kept praying that he could make it that far. I said to Amy, I'll pray for longer time so he could see the inauguration too! Well, he saw Trump win so that was good. Thanks to Amy for sharing moments with him to me. I felt as though I was there too. Sending me pictures and all and her sharing my words with him. Thanks to digital technology! This is sad but at the same time it's a time to celebrate Jiggs' life and our memories that we had with him. I enjoyed times of fishing with him. Deer hunting at Stevens Point once. That was a blast of a weekend! Plenty of times our families got together and had great times. So many more memories...and memories are forever. My wife, Donna and I express our deepest condolences to Jan and family. No words can fill the void that now exists. We can only now rely on our good memories to continue that joy we had with Jiggs. We will see him again, so let's prepare for that! God Bless Jiggs and God Bless Jan and Family!

Karen wrote on December 12, 2024
I will miss you my dear brother, but I know you are in a good place with no more illness. Your welcoming to heaven was so beautiful as you were lifted to heaven. I will hold so many memories in my heart. I love you forever. Say Hi to Mom and Dad.

Kathy n Joe capuano wrote on December 9, 2024
Leroy was a wonderful family man.We are neighbors to his son Aaron and he would always welcome us to family functions n make us welcome.May you fly high and watch over your family.May you rest easy now with no pain 1

Arl Carlson wrote on December 9, 2024
My dear Jiggs, as one of my two favorite brothers-in-laws, I will miss your teasing and picking at me. You had said on Wednesday when I talked to you, that that was who you were. "If I didn't like you, I wouldn't pick on you." It was all in fun and I enjoyed it. Those happy times will be missed. Jan posted a well written obituary for you where I read things about you that I did not know. I am so sorry to have lost you to your bad health. While Jan was your nurse over the course of your illness, she is to be commended for giving you her loving care. Your family was a major support system for you. I will miss you, but I saw that you looked to the rising sun as you were nearing the end of your life on earth and Jesus welcomed you to your Heavenly Home where there is no more pain. I pray that you can join your parents, and find Merlin, and have some good chats. He will be glad to see you. I love you, my dear Jiggs. I will treasure you forever, and, will try to keep Jan busy, as I know the family will do, too. Take care... ARL ."

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