July 18, 1945 – January 10, 2025
John George Heck, 79, of Spearfish passed away on January 10, 2025.
A viewing is set for 4-6 p.m. Thursday, January 16 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. A service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 17 at the Spearfish Holiday Inn Convention Center. Burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery.
John was born July 18, 1945, in Isabel to Edwin and Rose Heck and grew up on the Heck family farm outside of Isabel. He attended Timber Lake High School, graduating in 1963. He participated in plays, chorus, yearbook staff, school newspaper, Letterman’s Club, class officer, and was crowned 1963 Homecoming King. He excelled in athletics participating in basketball, football, cross country, and was part of the championship State B medley team in track and field.
John attended Northern State University in Aberdeen for one year before he transferred to Black Hills State in 1964. He played for the Black Hills State basketball team while he pursued a double major in art and industrial arts education.
In March of 1967 while attending Black Hills State, John met his future wife, Loretta Jo “Jo” Cooley. They were married August 26, 1967, and John graduated in May of 1968.
John accepted an Industrial Arts teaching position in Selby in August 1968. After teaching for one year, he took an Industrial Arts and Art teaching position at Herreid High School in 1969. During his time teaching, John coached basketball, cross-country, and was a class advisor.
John and Jo moved to Spearfish in 1976 where John worked for his father-in-law, Clyde Cooley, at Black Hills Painting Inc., eventually purchasing the business in the mid 1980’s.
John was a talented singer/song writer and guitar player. He played in several bands. He was a founding member of Just Us (John & Jo) and The Heck Trio, with John (Ugly John) on lead guitar and vocals, Jo (Good Looking Jo) on the bass guitar, keyboards and backing vocals, and Bill Robinson (Average Bill) on drums. They played in many local bars and lounges, most notably The Rancher in St. Onge.
In 1993, John and business partner, Clair Donovan, founded the Stadium Sports Grill in Spearfish. John was able to embrace his love of food and sports. This success enabled John to sell Black Hills Painting and through the newly established D&H partnership with Clair, many new business ventures were born. The Stadium family included locations in Belle Fourche and Madison, Scoreboard Lounge, and what became his second home, the Spearfish Stadium.
John was a member of the BHSU Foundation; he was an avid fan and generous donor of BHSU athletics. In 2020 he established the John Heck Athletic Scholarship Award.
John’s life took a dramatic turn when Jo passed away, May 21, 2019.
John reconnected with his high school classmate, Sheila Guffey. John and Sheila were married December 4, 2022 and were able to enjoy their time together at the BHSU athletic events, The Spearfish Stadium, snuggling with the dogs, doing puzzles, chatting or relaxing at either home in Spearfish or San Tan Valley, AZ.
John was a kind, generous, and humble man. He may not have spoken many words, but he spoke bounds through his quiet actions.
John is survived by his wife, Sheila Heck; siblings Jim (Carol) Heck, Julie Chilstrom, Jean Wetzler (Daryl); John’s children, Jaci (GJ) Koehler and Joel (Tempe) Heck; Sheila’s children, Shannon Elliott (Randy Benson) and Shelby Elliott; six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; special “partner in crime,” Clair Donovan; and dogs Bear and Biscuit.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Rose Heck, wife Loretta Jo Heck, sibling Jerome Heck, and son Jared John Heck.
Memorials can be directed to the BHSU John Heck Athletic Scholarship.
(The family’s address is 340 N. 14th St., Spearfish, SD 57783.)