On September 8, 1945, he married Iletta Keith at St. John's Lutheran Church in Gillett. The couple has lived most of their married life in the Oconto Falls area, where Harold worked for the former Scott Paper Co. for over 37 years in electrical maintenance. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls, where he taught Sunday School and served on church council.
Harold was very active in his community, serving as past president of the paper mill union, local 95, member of NEW Credit Union, former director of Wisconsin Credit Union League, member and director of local AARP and the Oconto Falls American Legion Post 302. He also was involved in getting the Oconto Falls Area Ambulance service started and was very active in the Oconto Falls Chamber of Commerce.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Iletta Heckendorf, Oconto Falls; their seven children, Carol Startup, Waunakee; James (Judy) Heckendorf, Oconomowoc; Judy (Dennis) Blazek, Kelly Lake; Sandra (Todd) Heimke, Oconto Falls; Bonnie (David) Wellnitz, Ashwaubenon; Linda (Tom) Blaser, Oconto Falls; Debbie Heckendorf, Waukesha; 18 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three brothers, Kenneth (Sylvia) Heckendorf, Sheboygan; Victor (Mildred) Heckendorf, Colorado; Otto (Kathy) Heckendorf Jr., Green Bay; two sisters, Betty Bitters and Barbara (Miles) Peterson, Oconto Falls.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Laura Blaser; one sister, June Voght; and two brothers-in-law, George Voght and William Bitters.
Friends called on Friday at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls. Funeral service was conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, November 3, at Grace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Bil Sutlief officiating. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oconto Falls. Military honors were conducted by the Oconto Falls American Legion Post 302. L