Service Details
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm in St. Lucy Catholic Church (3101 Drexel Avenue in Racine) with Rev. Timothy Sanchez officiating. A memorial dinner will follow. Visitation, with police honor guard, will be in St. Lucy Church on Wednesday from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm. For those who wish to participate, the Rosary will be recited at 11 am in church (just prior to the start of the visitation on Wednesday). Private interment will take place on Thursday in St. James Cemetery in Kenosha.
You may witness the Funeral Mass via livestream by selecting the the following link at 2 pm on Wednesday, August 13th.
https://www.facebook.com/dlfuneralhome
Memorial Suggestions
In memory of Herb, memorials to the “St. Lucy Food Pantry” have been suggested.
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Floral Creations by Eileen
Racine – Herbert O. Heckel, Jr., age 84, passed away, surrounded with the love of family, on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
Herb was born on March 10, 1941 to the late Herbert O. Heckel, Sr. and Mildred E. (nee: Griffiths) Heckel. He was a 1958 graduate of Mary D. Bradford High School. On October 6, 1962 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Kenosha, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Susan C. (nee: Tyson). Both born and raised in Kenosha, Herb and Sue moved to Racine in 1967.
Herb faithfully served our community with the Racine Police Department for over 28 years, retiring as Captain of the Detective Bureau in 1995.
Herb and Sue are proud and devoted members of St. Lucy Catholic Church since 1967 where they were active in many ways. Among his interests, he enjoyed the simple pleasures in life such as camping, going out for breakfast and collecting items of absolutely no value to others. Above all, he was a true gentleman that always opened the car door for his beautiful wife during their entire marriage and absolutely loved being together with his entire family. They were his world.
Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years, Sue; their children, Robert (Felicia) Heckel, Catherine (Mark) Sorensen, Karen (Michael) Murphy, Beth Heckel and Lori (David) Riffer; 16 grandchildren: Devin (Erica) Heckel, Carissa (Steven) Heckel, Ryan (Caillie) Heckel, Lauren (Reed) Heckel, Brent (Terri) Heckel, Sarah (Erik) Everton, Reuben (Karlee) Heckel, Nik (Allyson) Sorensen, Carly (Phil) Reidenbach, Eric (Samantha) Sorensen, Jonathan (ManTing) Murphy, Jennifer (Julie) Knous, Matthew Murphy, Sophia Riffer, Lydia Riffer and Andrew Riffer. 17 great-grandchildren: Harrison, Landon, Alaina, Easton, Jhoella and Elijah Heckel, Amelia, Roman, Arlo and Luke Schmidt, Evelyn, Lily and Charlotte Everton, Jordan, Aubree and Gracelyn Reidenbach and Skylar Knous; sisters, Phyllis Drinkwine, Joan Shoup and Jane (Bob) Grabowski; sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law, Marlys Heckel, Francis Tyson III, Bonnie (Terry) Schold, Therese (Kurt) Nelson and James (JoAnn) Tyson; nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.
In addition to his parents, Herb was preceded in death by his brothers, Eugene, Robert & Glen Heckel; Sue’s parents, Francis, Jr. and Doris (nee: Haney) Tyson; sister-in-law, Sharon Tyson; brothers-in-law, Bob Drinkwine & Bob Shoup.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm in St. Lucy Catholic Church (3101 Drexel Avenue in Racine) with Rev. Timothy Sanchez officiating. A memorial dinner will follow. Visitation, with police honor guard, will be in St. Lucy Church on Wednesday from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm. For those who wish to participate, the Rosary will be recited at 11 am in church (just prior to the start of the visitation on Wednesday). Private interment will take place on Thursday in St. James Cemetery in Kenosha. In memory of Herb, memorials to the St. Lucy Food Pantry have been suggested.
You may witness the Funeral Mass via livestream by selecting the link above at 2 pm on Wednesday, August 13th.
A special note of thanks to the nurses and doctors at Froedtert Cancer Center for the compassionate care and support given to Herb in his time of need. May God bless all of you!
Jim and Rosie Pepinski says
Our prayers are with you Sue and family as your Husband, Father, Grand enters his reward. May he rest in peace until we are all reunited in Jesus Christ!
May God’s peace enter you and hold you close, and give you strength.
Reverend Lois A. Sorensen says
“Grandma” Sue, Cathy, and family, may his memory always be a blessing!
Francis and Jennifer Tyson IV says
In loving memory of Uncle Herb. My memories of him will be with me forever.
Bob&Felicia says
Pops,Your life was a blessing, Your memory a treasure, You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. God Bless, ❤️
Armintta Franklin says
Condolences to the Heckle family. I had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful man during my employment with the Racine P.D. as a civilian.
Anne Eickner says
So very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to all of you
Lauren Heckel says
So beyond blessed to have you as our grandpa. The memories we will hold deeply on too. The stories will continue to be told and the legacy of your love with flourish on.
Rest easy Grandpapi.
Anonymous says
Herb will missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful brother, husband and father. I will miss talking to him on the phone. May he rest in peace.
Mr. & Mrs Richard Christianson says
Henkel Family, you all are in our prayers. Sue thank you for the great time’s of camp with you an Herb an sharing your grandchildren . Our condolences to all, until we all meet up with Herb. Mr. Christianson & Nana
Ann Soderman and the Soderman family says
Sending our sympathies and prayers to the Heckel foamily
Rick McCluskey says
I will miss my friend and co-worker. May you rest peace brother.
Rick McCluskey says
I will miss my friend and co-worker. May you rest in peace brother.
Diane Adams says
Uncle Herb, you will be missed by all. The memories you have left will live on forever. Rest easy and know we will all be united once again. You are truly a great man.
Love you.
Rex & Diane Adams
William H. KING says
Sorry to hear of Herb passing on. He was one of my favorite people on the police department.
Cheryl Steidl says
I am so very sorry to see that Herb passed away. He was such a wonderful family man, and a great Captain and boss at the Racine Police Department Detective Unit. I remember seeing him and his wife going for walks together in the neighborhood. He had such a great sense of humor!
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.❤️🙏
Machelle Lexa says
Rest in Peace Herb, your memories will live on forever through your, Wife, children and grandchildren for generations.
I remember when you and John would come to Dee Dee’s Dania for lunch all the time.
then you had to go and retire. You were a great and kind man.