John Donald Heckert Jr

John Donald Heckert Jr was born April 12, 1945 in Clearwater FL to John(Don) and Ann(Jane) Heckert. He grew up in Moorhead MN and graduated from UND where he earned his degree in business with a minor in education. John worked as a sales rep in several different fields and had great success. He even won several trips due to his hard work.

In 1967, John married Bette Ernst from Morris MN. They moved to Sitka AK, where John got a teaching job. He loved Alaska and the great hunting there. Unfortunately, he was drafted and went to Vietnam, so they left Alaska. Eventually  in1975, they moved to Phoenix, AZ where they remained.

John liked to travel, his favorite places to visit were Hawaii, Alaska, Germany and Hong Kong. He also liked sports and was a Green Bay Packers fan. He was an avid hunter; his favorite game to hunt were elk, deer, seal, pheasant and bear. He also really enjoyed fishing and reading history books. Later in retirement, they built a home on Big Stone lake in MN, where they enjoyed the cooler weather to escape AZ summers.

John died peacefully on Friday, October 10, 2025, at eighty years of age, after a courageous and hard fought battle against pancreatic cancer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Margaret.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Bette. His daughter, Kelly Kimble (Jeff/deceased) of AZ and son John III (Brittney) of AZ; grandchildren Ashley Kimble-Atrian(Miranda), Jessica Kimble(Dustin) and Raegen Heckert; great-grandchildren DJay Kimble and Aiden Kimble-Atrian; and brother Bob Heckert in Kansas and many good friends.

A celebration of life will be held next summer in MN for anyone who would like to attend. His children will scatter his ashes in the place he requested at a later time.

Memorials may be given to the Pacreatic Cancer Foundation or American Heart Association, or the charity of your choice.