Richard Edward Hein

Richard Edward Hein 61, died Thursday, April 21, 2011 at his Athens home surrounded by his family, under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice after a long, courageous battle with cancer. He was born August 29, 1949 in the town of Johnson, the son of Marie (Schreiner) Hein and the late Edward Hein. On July 10, 1971, he married Colleen Schillinger at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Milan. She survives. Before settling in the town of Johnson as a dairy farmer, Richard worked at Marathon Cheese Company and Treu's Trucking. With the strong love of the outdoors, Richard traded the dairy farm business to proudly begin Hein's Fish Farm. He enjoyed building windmills, harvesting fish and later beginning a deer farm. After almost 20 years, Hein's Fish Farm is still in operation with nearly 60 ponds. Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed hunting with his family, fishing, playing Texas Hold'em and cherishing times with his grandchildren. Survivors include, his wife, Colleen Hein, town of Johnson; his mother, Marie Hein, Athens; three children, Penny Hein, Schofield, Gwenda (Robert) Sperl, Abbotsford and Scott Hein, Athens; two grandchildren, Chase and Faith Sperl; eight siblings, Karen Hein, Grisham Ore., Gayle (John) Humpal, Tripoli, Roger (Kris) Hein, Athens, Mary (Larry) Guralski, Wausau, Mike Hein, Athens, Tim (Renee) Hein, Athens, Allen (Jane) Hein, Athens and Brian (Stacey) Hein, Edgar. Besides his father, Edward, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Daphne Gayle Hein. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Milan. The Very Reverend Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday from 4:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the church and again on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be a prayer service at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the church. The family would like to thank the staff of Marshfield Clinic, especially Dr. Vincent Thomalla and Dr. Seth O. Fagbemi and Ministry Home Care, Marshfield for the compassion, support and care during Richard's home care. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the family for a memorial fund that will be established at a later date. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com