John E (Jackson) Heberlein

John "Jackson" Edwin Heberlein went to heaven on July 21, 2012, at the Hillview Healthcare Center from complications of a stroke suffered on June 28, 2012.

John was born at home on May 16, 1930 to Edwin and Lucy (Halbach) Heberlein. He was employed by the Segelke and Kohlhaus Woodworking Company. He loved working with wood. He designed and made the curved open stairway in the Bishop's house on East Avenue in La Crosse. He also installed the wooden floors using nine different kinds of wood. There wasn't anything he couldn't build or repair. He married Patricia Susan Hafner at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in La Crosse on May 7, 1952. Two months later he was drafted into the Korean War. After Segelke's closed, he went to Trane Company and then spent the next 29 years with the La Crosse Housing Authority as chief maintenance man. In the flood of 1965 he manned the pumps and headed the sand-bag brigade and was especially grateful for the Logan High school students for their help. Jack retired in 1992 and was busier than ever. Over his lifetime he built two houses, a cabin and hundreds of pieces of furniture.

Jack was a member of Carpenters Local 1143, a member of the La Crosse Rifle Club, Badger States Sportsman Club, Chaseburg Rod & Gun Club, La Crosse County Conservation Alliance and American Legion Post 52 in La Crosse.

Jack loved kids. He taught hunters safety courses. He took great pleasure of being in charge of the games at the annual Bohemian Hall Picnics. He loved fishing, hunting and trapping. His Mom cooked anything he brought home. His greatest memories are the hunting and fishing trips with his sons and friends. Jack was especially proud of the land and trailer house he had in Black River Falls. He loved picnics and grilling out.

Jack is survived by two daughters, Susan (John) Stetter of Holmen and Jean (Frank) Muehlenkamp of Camp Douglas, two sons James (Lisa) Heberlein of Stoddard, and Edward (Mary) Heberlein of La Crescent, MN. He had five grandchildren, Rachel (Jay) Tambornino, Matthew & Maria Heberlein, Amy Heberlein and Willy Stetter. Grandpa Jack has two great grandchildren Johnnie & Noah Tombornino. He is also Survived by sisters-in-law Theresa Heberlein, Delores Eeg, Ruth Hafner, Terry Hafner, Mary Wing and Rita & Norbert Miller. Bothers-in-law, Tony & Sandy Hafner, Frank & Judy Hafner, Bob & Mona Hafner and Jerry & Carol Hafner. Jack had 24 nieces and 17 nephews and many great nieces & nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pat of 57 years, his daughter Kathleen, his brothers Harvey and Eugene, sisters Florence, Lucille and Arlene. Bother-in-law and best friend Harold (Boots) Eeg, father and mother-in-law Raymond & Katherine Hafner and nephew Mike Hafner.

Sue, Jim and Jean wish to express their heartfelt "thanks" to the seventh Floor Nursing Staff at Franciscan Mayo Health Center and everyone at Hillview Heathcare Center for the compassionate care they gave our Dad. You made our loss bearable. We are happy that Dad is with Mom & Kathy and finally having a beer with Boots, Jerry Schultz and Phil Knoethe.

A Mass Of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, July 27, 2012 at the Cathedral Of St. Joseph the Workman. Rev. Daniel Oudenhoven will officiate. Burial with military rites will follow in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Thursday evening from 4 until 8 P.M. and again at the church on Friday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services.