John Hueckel

John W. Hueckel, 71, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away October 30 ^th , 2021 at home.  He was born December 8 ^th , 1949, to Donald & Helen Hueckel in Battle Creek, MI.

He graduated from Harper Creek High School in 1968 and was united in marriage to Nancy A. Drake on July 19 ^th , 1969 for the next 52 years.  He began his working career at The Michigan Carton Company shortly after he graduated and retired 45 years later as an oiler in 2013.

For several years, John was also a volunteer fireman for Newton Township often racing other local volunteers, some of whom were both friends and family, to see who would arrive at the fire station first.

John enjoyed watching sports, and even more so “Big John” enjoyed watching his kids, and eventually his grandkids, play sports whenever he could.  Whether Euchre, Pedro, Hearts or Solitaire, John was an avid card player as well and loved playing in the occasionally heated games with friends and family.  In his quiet time, he was an avid viewer of the Western Channel and all things John Wayne.

While John was not necessarily a world traveler, he did enjoy the many road trips to visit family over the years whether to Indiana, Tennessee, or Missouri with a penchant for picking up tickets in the state of Kentucky.

Overall, John was a dedicated family man and hard worker having worked seven days a week for most of his career.  While he was at many times a man of few words, he was a thoughtful man who cared, loved, and worried about others before himself more than most would know.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Helen Hueckel and sister Judy Eyre.  Surviving are his wife Nancy (Drake) Hueckel; brother Steve (Darlene) Hueckel; brother-in-law Ron Eyre; son Doug (Lori) Hueckel; daughter Jennifer (Ken) Wilson, and his six cherished grandchildren; Morgan (Geoff) Belt, Jeremy Wilson, Makena Wilson, and Owen, Drake, and Sophia Hueckel.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 4, 2021, at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services.  Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 5, 2021, at the funeral home, with Rev. John Grafton officiating.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.henryfuneralhome.org