My father met Dr. Heckert when both were in Germany following the second world war. They were in a musical group that played for churches.  They continued corresponding long after each had emmigrated to the United States. Before my dad passed in 2020, he wrote a memoir that included reference to Dr. Heckert. That's what led me here--I'm sorry to learn of his passing.

Jake was a classmate of mine at Concordia Prep in Bronxville, NY in the 1950s.  He was an older student from Europe who worked in NY City as an eyeglass lens maker.  We continued our relationship through class reunions in St. Louis. He exemplified the quiet personable Christian life with relationships with people.  RIP. Requiescat in pacem. -  Dr. Peter Mealwitz

Dear Ilona and Family, I wasn't able to attend the funeral, but I wish to convey my gratitude for the life and work of Dr. Heckert.  Each time we met for a German service in Frankenmuth, he was encouraging, uplifting, and caring.  May you feel God's presence as you meet the challenges of each new day.

May the God of all Comfort be with you all. Professor Heckert was one of my favorite profs at CUAA. As one of the first deaconess students to go through AA Dr Heckert was very encouraging and helpful. I learned a great deal sitting at the feet of an amazing teacher. I mourn with you today and will keep your family in my prayers. We have lost a great one...but...we will see him again! Thanks be to God!

Ilona,

I'm deeply saddened to hear of Jakob's
passing.  I admired Jakob so very much.
I always looked forward to speaking with you and Jakob when I worked at 
University Bank.  You were my favorite
customers.  We often talked about Latvia.
God bless you Jakob and Ilona.  I thank the Creator for your friendship.  I know He will grant you eternal life in His Kingdom, Jakob and we will one day meet again

Dear Ilona and Paula and family,
    The folks at Immanuel, Toledo, will always remember the many Grace-filled sermons and Pastor Heckert's wonderful leading of worship services for the past decade.  We will miss him greatly, but rejoice that he is now safe in the Savior's arms.  Praying for comfort,  Pastor Donald E. Weiss

Dr. Heckert was one of my favorite professors at Concordia (94-98). I had him for German and BIV. He was so kind and patient with his students and you could just tell that he loved us all as children of God. He was a walking embodiment of our school motto, Christ first in everything. I will think of him fondly always.

Ilona, Paula, Stephen, Mark and families. Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. I hope your grief is mitigated by your knowledge and memories of the rich life that Jakob lived and the many he touched through his teaching and service.

Dear Ilona:

I will always remember Jakob as a humble man of God, who enjoyed preaching in German and also enjoyed a joke. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Jim Weber

Paula and family; I am so very sorry to learn of your dad's passing.  As a neighbor, friend and confident, your dad was simply an awesome person.  I so often was inspired by his kindness, intellect, hard work and friendly demeanor and sense of humor. As for me and my family we were blessed beyond words to have had him in our lives as a neighbor for 22 years. He will be missed. He definitely left the world a better place than he found it. Blessings to you all.  The Palmer Family

Dear Ilona, Paula and family: May you be comforted in knowing that your Jacob is with his beloved Lord and God, who will wipe away all tears and greet Jacob with "Welcome, my good and faithful servant"!!! 
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you,       Liesel W.
Ps. 23 ".......and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever"

Our condolences to the Heckerts from the Twietmeyer family. Dr. Heckert was my neighbor on Pine Brae and then one of my professors at Concordia. I had him for German and then specifically sought him out for BIV (gen-ed Bible/theology class). His section was far superior in tone, content, and depth to the sections offered by other instructors. He was a fine scholar and theologian, a gentleman, and a great ambassador for the Christian faith. May he rest in peace.

Ilona, Mark, Paula and Steve,  It was an honor knowing Jakob and I'm grateful that Steve and Mary's marriage made that possible. I have such good memories of visits with him and Ilone in Grayslake and California. God bless him and your families.

I was so sorry to hear about the death of Dr. Heckert. He was one of my favorite professors while I was at Concordia, Ann Arbor from 1983 - 1987. He was also the vacancy pastor at my home congregation (Christ Our Savior, Livonia) in 1984. He was kind enough to drive me in to Livonia and drop me off at my parents one day when I was really sick and needed to get back to a doctor's appointment. He was such a sweet, approachable man. I really enjoyed his classes. My prayers are with his family.

Allison McCollister (Drake) Class of 1987

My deepest sympathy to your family at such a difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find some comfort and peace from the God of all comfort.(2Co.1:3)

Our heartfelt sympathies go to the relatives from Wetzlar in Germany! Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.

Tom and I had him as a professor at Concordia. Dr. Heckert was also our elder and always called to leave messages for our children and us for birthdays with a prayer and good wishes . We often came home from work to hear his gentle voice of encouragement on our answering machine. He never missed one!   God bless your family, he was a faithful servant. 

IIona and family.  Was blessed to meet, and work with Jakob as we served together on the SE Pastor's Conference Steering Committee.  He brought a  lot of depth to our meetings.  He was a great servant of the Lord.  He truly made a positive impact on all he met.  I will miss him and his contributions to our District and Synod.  Lord's peace to all of you.  Remember, because of the resurrection and eternal life, this is not "good bye" this is "aufwiedersehen"  You sure will see him again.  Norm Koy

OBITUARY

Dr. Jakob K. Heckert

January 13, 1931 – January 16, 2018

Muehlig Funeral Chapel

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