Pvt. John Heichel Missing in Italy
Cedar Falls – Mrs. John Heichel, 722 ½ Fourth avenue, received word Friday from the war department that her husband, Pvt. John Heichel, U. S. army, has been missing in action in Italy since Apr. 19.
He was serving with the 10th mountain division, and had been in service a year and overseas seven months. He took his basic training at Camp Fannin, Tex.
The Heichels have three children, John Elmer, 4, Sharon May, 2, and Keith Dennis, three months. Mrs. Heichel makes her home with Private Heichel’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Freace Heichel. The last word received from the soldier was dated Apr. 13.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, May 13, 1945, Page 15
John Heichel, Cedar Falls, Killed
Pvt. John Heichel, Cedar Falls, who was previously reported missing in action in Italy, was killed in action there Apr. 19, according to a war department telegram received Saturday by his wife, Evelyn Heichel, 722 ½ Fourth avenue, Cedar Falls.
Private Heichel, who had been in service for a year, was serving with the mountain division. He had been overseas for about seven months.
A son of Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Heichel, 711 Fourth avenue, Cedar Falls, he was born in Cedar Heights Oct. 15, 1920. He attended Cedar Falls schools and on May 4, 1940, married Evelyn Johnson at Cedar Falls.
Surviving besides his wife and parents are two sons, John Elmer, 4, Dennis four months; a daughter, Sharon May, 2; four brothers [?], Herschel Heichel, Dallas, Ore.; Russell Heichel, Cedar Falls; and Pete Heichel, Cedar Falls; and five sisters, Glade and Norma Heichel, both of Cedar Falls; Mrs. Glenn Brown, 214 Peoria street; and Mrs. c. A. Morgan, Mrs. George Shorman and Mrs. Don Rogers, all of Cedar Falls.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Monday, May 28, 1945, Page 2 (photo included)
Heichel Reburial Service at Cedar Falls Wednesday
Cedar Falls – Final rites for Pvt. John Luther Heichel, who met death in action with the Tenth Mountain division in Italy Apr. 19, 1945, will be at the Jungkunz-Nelson funeral home here at 1:30 p. m. Wednesday. [Interment was made at Hudson Cemetery, Hudson, Iowa.]
Young Heichel is survived by his widow and three children. The latter include John Elmer, Sharon May and Keith Dennis. His also is survived by several brothers and sisters. They include George, The Dells, Ore.; Russell and Peter, both of Waterloo; Glade, Cedar Falls; Mrs. Mary Brown, Hudson; Mrs. Gladys Morgan, Waterloo; Mrs. Myrtle Sharman, Greene; Mrs. Jane Rodgers and Mrs. Norma Gutknecht, Hudson.
Private Heichel received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. The citation that tells of his heroic action under fire says, in part: “By his aggressive action he protected his squad and saved many lives, displaying conduct in keeping with the meritorious tradition of the U. S. army.”
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, July 03, 1949, Page 12
