LeRoy "Jiggs" Harvey Heller took our Lord's hand and was peacefully led into heaven in the early morning of December 8, 2024, at Aurora Medical Center surrounded by love, faith, and the cherished memories of family, friends, and neighbors whose lives he touched.

Born to Harvey and Loureha (Henke) Heller, Jiggs grew up on a farm with a strong sense of hard work and community. After graduating from Rosendale High School in 1962, he served in the Air Force from 1965 to 1968, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. LeRoy took great pride in his service, often wearing one of his many Vietnam veteran hats and shirts. He would insist on wearing his silver Vietnam veteran coat whenever possible, a testament to his deep respect for his time in the military and the future that opportunity created for his family.

Jiggs married Janice Schmid on April 30, 1966, at Bethany United Church of Christ in Oshkosh.  They began their married life in Dover, DE, where he was stationed. Upon his return from Vietnam, they lived in Camp Douglas and then the Van Dyne/Oshkosh area.

Jiggs began his career at Lone Elm Cheese Factory and Tolibia Cheese before dedicating over three decades to Mercury Marine (1973-2005). After retiring, he and his wife moved to their beloved 50-acre plot of land in Hancock, where they built a home that became a gathering place for family events. Together, they cultivated a beautiful garden, pouring hours of labor and love into growing sweet corn and other vegetables. Their harvest was not just for themselves but was generously shared with others, a testament to the legacy of selflessness they passed down to their children and beyond.  In 2017, they moved to Winneconne where Jiggs spent many hours fishing from his pontoon boat and enjoying early morning coffee with his coffee buddies.

A lifelong sportsman, Jiggs found joy in hunting deer and turkeys, fishing, trapshooting, bowling, and softball. His martial arts practice reflected his discipline and love for competition. His involvement in community was evident through his memberships in the Van Dyne Sportsman's Club, the Van Dyne Lions Club, and the VFW in Plainfield.

Jiggs was very proud of his children and was so grateful to have a close-knit family who loved and supported him, especially these last ten years with his many health issues. Jiggs believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior.  Daughter Amy would text a daily spiritual reading and when his eyesight was failing, would share by reading it to him.  The kids selflessly took turns staying with him for six weeks while Jan was hospitalized and recuperating. He was so grateful to be able to do hemo dialysis at home the past year-and-a-half. The kids would tease that he had at least nine lives (or 23)!  Among our great memories is renting a "Christmas house" where the whole family could stay and play our annual Texas hold 'em poker tournament for the coveted possession and bragging rights of a Mickey Mouse trophy!

Jiggs is survived by his devoted wife, Jan. Together, they raised a loving family, including daughter Amy (Chris) Polzin of Greenville and her children: Major Jonathon Patterson of Hanover, MD; Ashe (Danielle) Patterson of Smithville, MO; and Erika (James) Crawford of Greenville. He is also survived by son Daniel (Lori) Heller of Greenville and his children: Ben Heller of Beaver Dam and Kate Heller of Oshkosh. Additionally, Jiggs is survived by son Aaron (Jennifer) Heller of Winneconne and his daughter, Presley Heller; and daughter Nicole (Mark) Weber of Mukwonago and her children, Riley Weber and Max Weber.

He also leaves behind step-grandchildren Nic Polzin, Chad (Shaun) McNichols, Cole McNichols, and Isabella (Richard) Morgan, as well as great-grandchildren Affaan Patterson, Ameen Patterson, and Alyce Polzin whose joy and laughter brought light to his life.

Jiggs is further survived by his brothers Howard Heller and Orville (Katie) Heller, sister Karen Koplitz, brother-in-law Walter Schmid Jr., and sisters-in-law Arloene (Pat) Blashka and Margery (Clay) Werner. Special cousins Jerry Berwald and Lorna Heller also shared in his life's journey.

He is reunited in heaven with his parents, Harvey and Loureha Heller; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter Sr. and Elsie Schmid; his sister-in-law, Mary Heller; his son-in-law, David Bibbs; and his beloved aunts and uncles.

Jiggs' legacy of love, humor, and perseverance through his many illnesses will forever remain in the memories of his family, friends, and neighbors. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 8 South 4th Street, Winneconne, WI, with a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m.  Entombment will be at the Shrine of Rest in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Jiggs will be deeply missed, but his love and faith will continue to guide those who knew him. His family wants to thank the hospital staff at Aurora who treated Jiggs and the family with kindness and respect as he prepared for his journey to heaven.

Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family. If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.