A small family memorial service was held at Chapel Hill Garden South in Oak Lawn, Illinois on 3 June.
Joni was born December 28, 1957, in Blue Island to the late Winfield and Christine Heckler.
Joni is survived by her husband of 42 loving years, Dave Haywood as well as their daughter, Gretchen (Dan) Kuhn; son, David Jr (Jamie); and grandchildren Jackson and Madelyn Haywood, and Theodore Kuhn. Joni is preceded in death by her brother Randy (Joy) Heckler and survived by siblings Linda (Ken) Schmidtke, Lisa (Dan) Heckler-Speziale, and Connie (Earl) Koehler, as well as, numerous nieces and nephews.
Joni was a lifelong Catholic. She attended elementary and middle school at St Benedict Roman Catholic Church and high school at Mother of Sorrows. Recently, you could find her at St Christopher’s Catholic Church in Midlothian on Sunday mornings.
Joni was known for her never ending positivity and love for everyone she met. If you knew Joni, you discovered she had a heart of gold and there was no limit to her willingness to help and support those she loved regardless of the circumstance. Joni had a gift for making everyone feel loved, as if they were the most special person in the world. She always had a welcoming ear and heart, making you feel like you truly mattered, because to her you did!
A long time employee of Country Peddler Company of America/At Home America, Joni spent years working at the stores and home office where she was primarily in the Sales and Marketing team. She loved working there and eventually used the skills she developed there to start her own career coaching business.
Above all else, Joni lived for her grandchildren. Joni knew no bounds when it came to making each of them feel special, happy, and loved. Her heart overflowed with love for Jack, Maddie, and Teddy. Joni was the best grandma anyone could wish for. There was no limit to the time, energy, or entertainment she would provide her three grandchildren. Oftentimes should would plan the next visit before the current visit ended to ensure she got her grandma time. She loved them with all her heart as they did the same in return. Joni was the epitome of who her children want their children to become. She taught her grandchildren how to love, laugh, and enjoy family while becoming the best person possible.
A true patriot and community supporter, the family requests donations to Joni’s favorite charities instead of flowers. Please consider contributing to the USO (uso.org), American Red Cross (redcross.org), or 22Q International Foundation (22q.org).
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