John Kenneth Heitchue ("Jack") was born May 5, 1934, in (Roseville) Michigan to Kenneth and Margaret (née Onderzick) Heitchue. The oldest of five siblings, he grew up in Roseville where he fancied himself an urban farmer.

He attended Sacred Heart Seminary Grade School and then Saint Mary High School in Mount Clemens. It was there he met the love of his life, Ruth O'Brien. They graduated in (1952) and were married on October 24, 1954.

Jack left work as a beer truck driver to work as a secretary at the Detroit Edison Company. He and his brother-in-law and best friend, Dennis O'Brien, attended night school at the "dear old DIT" (Detroit Institute of Technology), eventually graduating with bachelors degrees and working their way up through the company. Jack retired in 1988 as the assistant general auditor. Ruth's mother, Margaret, lived with them until her death.

Jack and Ruth had five children - Ruann (David Marshall), Jacquelyn (Steve Kidd), John, Jeff (Donna), and Catherine (Brian Reed). They were proud of the accomplishments of their children, big and small, and most especially of their grandchildren and great grandchildren - each one the cutest baby ever.

Jack loved God and was a devout Catholic, attending daily Mass throughout most of his life and holding many positions in his beloved Saint Peter's Parish, most notably as lector delivering the word of God as frequently as he could. The pastors were often close friends, finding a refuge in the house down Market Street, especially Father Welch - who enjoyed baseball and cards - and Father Cooney, who enjoyed sitting by the fire with a toddie. Jack was proud to have published a book of Father Welch's writings called "From Where I Sit". He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.

Jack also loved sports, playing basketball (he claimed to have invented the jump shot), baseball, racquetball, and golf. He faithfully followed Detroit sports teams, but none as closely as his dear Tigers. He counted the days til the pitchers and catchers reported each year, and his family delighted in his deep-voiced rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

He enjoyed travel - camping across Michigan, annual anniversary trips to Traverse City to see the colors, visits to Arizona to see family, and spending several winters in Florida.

And he enjoyed games, especially euchre. Most everyone has heard him tell that growing up, as long as he didn't have a date, the family would sit down to play cards, with money on the table. His kids and grandkids learned euchre at his side and go alone often enough to prove it. As he said "Deal the cards, time is money."

Jack was known throughout Mount Clemens. He was a member and past president the Goodfellows and a member of the Old Crowd. He walked the streets with strollers when his children were young and with a walking a stick as he aged. He rarely met a stranger.

He was perhaps most known for giving hugs and had a calling card made with a hugs poem on it.

He is survived by his children 15 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren, and his brother Donald. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, his parents, three siblings, three infant great-grandchildren, and many, many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Capuchins in Detroit. Saint Jude Hospital, or the Mount Clemens Goodfellows Association.

Visiting hours will be at Will & Schwarzkoff  Funeral Home, Sunday April 16, from 1:00 -7:00 p.m.. Funeral Mass at St. Peter's parish, Mount Clemens, Mi in state 9:00 a.m.; Mass 9:30. Burial will follow at Saint Peter Cemetery. Celebration of life following at the Rec Bowl, 40 Crocker Blvd, Mount Clemens Mi.