JoAnn R. Heling, 87, of Shawano, went to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, May 1, 2017, at Shawano Health Services in Shawano.
JoAnn was born on Jan. 18, 1930, in Shawano, a daughter of the late Paul and Frances (Doran) Martens. She attended Shawano schools, graduating from Shawano High School in 1947. Following graduation, she went to work as a bookkeeper at Lauerman’s Department Store in Shawano. On Sept. 10, 1949, she was united in marriage to Willis “Bud” Heling at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. The couple lived in Shawano their entire married life. Bud preceded her in death on Nov. 10, 1994.
JoAnn was a good and faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church of Shawano, where she served with the Tabitha Society. She enjoyed going to exercise class and walking everywhere. She loved spending time at the Civic Center, having lunch with classmates, flowers, birds, animals and doing puzzles. But most importantly she loved spending time with her family. JoAnn will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Thomas (Carmen) Heling, of Shawano, and Barbara (Gary) Akgulian, of Appleton; her grandchildren, Angela (Brandon) Koss of Green Bay, Joshua (Jessica) Heling of Shawano, and Zach Akgulian and Rachel Akgulian, of Appleton; five great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Heling, Austin Heling, Camryn Heling, Georgia Koss and Lillie Koss; her sisters-in-law, Sandra Martens and Marge Rusch; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Daniel Martens and David Martens; her sister-in-law, Gwen Martens; and her brother-in-law, Harold Rusch.
Funeral services for JoAnn R. Heling will be held on Friday, May 5, 2017, at 1 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. The Rev. Dr. Timm Griffin will officiate. Interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery, Shawano. Relatives and friends may call at the church on Friday from 11:30 a.m. until the hour of service.
In lieu of plants and flowers, a memorial fund has been established in JoAnn’s name at St. James Lutheran Church.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements.
Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
The family would like to thank the staff of Shawano Health Services and ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano and Appleton.