Obituary
Guest Book
1990
2014
Charles Michael "Charlie" Van Hecke, age 23, lost the physical battle of a defective heart, Tuesday February 11, 2014 but won the crown of eternal life instead for his loving, generous, and faith-filled heart. Charlie will forever be loved and missed by his family: parents David & Cecile (nee Gagne), brothers Josh & Max, his sister Meg, as well as his great extended family – grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends, and his dearest special friend and faithful fiancé, Monica Davis. He had a special fondness for his Irish roots (comprising but 1/8 of his genes).
Charlie was born on October 26, 1990 with a congenital heart defect but you wouldn't know it, thanks to the loving attention of his parents, Dr. David Freiberg, and many others. He grew up to become a loving, patient optimist with a roaring sense of humor and a love for the thespian arts, especially acting and set-building. He was a creative writer and story-teller with imagination and kindness at the heart of his stories and letters and loved a good debate. He graduated from Christendom College in 2013 and was employed by Population Research Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, until the time of his death. He also spent summers as part of the maintenance crew at Holy Hill, one of his most favorite places.
The Lord gave us Charlie; the Lord took him away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. To quote a friend, "The taking is apparent and temporary, but the giving is real and eternal." We trust Charlie will be an intercessor for us all before the throne of God.
A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 1711 S 9th Street in Milwaukee, WI, on Saturday, February 22, at 12:00 noon. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM. Burial will be Monday 2/24/14, at 10:00 AM at the St. Mary of the Hill Cemetery at Holy Hill Road (Hwy 167) and St. Augustine Rd (County Rd. C) in Hubertus, WI.
For those in Virginia and the surrounding area, Christendom College will celebrate a Vigil for the Deceased for alumnus Charles Van Hecke (Class of 2013) on Saturday, February 15 at 4:30 P.M. in Christ the King Chapel, with a reception following in the Aula Magna Mariae (the Chapel Crypt).
In lieu of flowers, donations would be most appreciated to any of the following charities: St. Anthony of Padua Parish and/or Food Pantry (address above), Population Research Institute (ww.pop.org) or Christendom College (www.christendom.edu).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Argyle .
July 9, 2014
Laddie Voslar
Dear Dave & Cecile,
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I know Charlie is with God, and you will see him again.
You and your family are in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Laddie & Nicholas Voslar
March 23, 2014
Bonnie Blatchford
You don't know me but I was really moved when I saw a picture of your son who passed away at a very young youthful age. My condolences to you and your family. His wings will open up with flight and go to the saints awaiting him. You will smell his scent no matter where you are, and there you will here him doing a Irish Jig. I live in London Ontario Canada. So young!! He has an infectious SMILE. BE STRONG, KEEP HIS MEMORIES IN YOUR HEARTS FOREVER!!
March 23, 2014
Bonnie Blatchford
You don't know me, but it was so moving to me to see the picture of your son. He was taken away at a young youthful age. My condolences to you both and the rest of the family also. I am from London Ontario, Canada. He will have wings and go to HEAVEN with the saints. He will be doing the Irish Jig up there, and the sound of music and the scent of him will still be their for you to sense. He will always be within your HEART!! Take care. Roadrunner.
March 18, 2014
Dave & Cecile Van Hecke
THANK YOU ALL for your kind thoughts and prayers for Charlie, Monica and our family. They have been a tremendous comfort and have held us up these many difficult weeks. Please know that you are all in our prayers and thoughts as well.
Since most of the updates going forward seem to be being posted on Facebook, save this link for more-current photos, memories...etc.: https://www.facebook.com/charles.vanhecke.3
March 3, 2014
Dear Cecile and David,
We've just learned of your son's passing. We are so sorry. Please know you're in our thoughts and prayers.
Charlie and Lilly Ramsey, Essex, Vermont
February 24, 2014
Leticia Olvera
Offering prayers, God bless
February 21, 2014
Tony and Cyndi Montanaro
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Van Hecke,
Our hearts are breaking for all of you as you grieve the loss of your dear son. You and Charlie will continue to be in our family prayers. If we can help in any way (such as offering a home away from home at any time) we are happy to do so. It has been a great joy to get to know your family a little through the gift of Max's friendship with Daniel. May God comfort you.
With affection,
The Montanaro family
February 21, 2014
Peter Ericksen
My heard is so heavy and I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May Our Lord and Our Lady, together with all the angels and saints, bring peace to all those whom Charlie loved so much back here on earth as they joyfully introduce him to his new eternal home, Love Itself.
February 21, 2014
David and Cecile,
My heart is breaking for the loss so many will feel. Charlie already gave so much joy and passion to this world just by being the fine son you raised. I hope you can find comfort knowing he is not dead but rather in another place. God Bless you. Our prayers and love to you all.
Randy and Kathy Pallo + and family (Kewaskum, WI)
February 20, 2014
Dave and Cecile I am so sorry to hear about your lose. My prayers are for you and your family
Charles C Williams Jr - Wells Cap
February 20, 2014
Suzanne Hill Korpela
Dave and Cecile and family
Not having seen Charlie since he was a little boy, I feel I missed knowing a very special person! You have an amazing son and brother in Charlie from all the tributes I have read of him. How very blessed you have been! Now, that amazing son /brother will be your amazing angel walking with you through life! Treasure your memories until the day you will meet again! I pray for your pain and sadness at such a great loss. May your great faith sustain you in these difficult days.
Much love to you all.
February 19, 2014
Pam Stoiber
David & Cecile,
Although I only had the brief pleasure of your Son's beautiful face, humor and very obvious commitment to his family and God during my time with Dyanne and Jim, he impacted my life in so many ways because of his joy for life when I had little to hold onto besides the VanHecke family.
I thank all of you and God for sharing him, yourselves and your commitment to the Lord.
Pam
February 19, 2014
David & Cecile,
Although I only had the brief pleasure of your Son's beautiful face, humor and very obvious commitment to his family and God during my time with Dyanne and Jim, he impacted my life in so many ways because of his joy for life when I had little to hold onto besides the VanHecke family.
I thank all of you and God for sharing him, yourselves and your commitment to the Lord.
Pam
February 18, 2014
Paula + Mike Gotthardt
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love Him. Every time we think of Charlie's passing it makes us want to cry. We ache for his many family members and friends and for his fiance whose hearts must be so heavy. In his short life he has touched so many lives, and his legacy will live on in all of our hearts. Eternal rest grant onto him, O Lord, and perpetual light shine upon him and all the faithful departed. May God grant peace of heart to all Charlie's loved ones.
February 17, 2014
Jacinta Van Hecke
I've had a lot of trouble finding words lately... they just can't be enough. But even though they're going to be woefully inadequate, for my cousin, my dear, wonderful friend, and my fellow lover of words, I have to try.
Dear Charlie, you've been such an amazing friend to me all my life. All the conversations, games, stories swapped, ideas discussed, acting enjoyed, all our commonality of interest, the vast store of memories we shared, and, most of all, your unfailing and enormous kindness and enthusiasm... I can't begin to express my gratitude for it all, for your constant and comforting friendship, You've been a brother to me and I don't know what I'm going to do without you, But I do also know that I'm not actually without you, From down here in this valley of tears, it's hard to remember the deep joy that lays at the foundation of all this sorrow and pain. You've done it. You've fought the good fight and kept the faith. Someday, I'll see you again and until then, all that remains (well, beneath these tears at least) is gratitude. That from Heaven you will actually be even closer to me than before. That you are entering into Joy far beyond our wildest imaginings. That your heart that took you away from us, also worked well enough to give me two decades with you, and that God has blessed me with such an amazing cousin, and now a friend in Heaven.
May the angels lead you into Paradise...
February 17, 2014
Dave, Cecile, Josh, Max, & Meg ~ please accept our deepest sympathy at this time of sadness. You are in our hearts and prayers. We love you all. The Kroenings
February 16, 2014
Dan & Judie Schreiner
Dear Dave and Cecile,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family….We remember Charlie from Mercy Academy and what a very sweet young man he was. You are all in our prayers.
Dan & Judie Schreiner and family.
February 16, 2014
Jim Mills
Dave and Cecile,
Your family are in our hearts and prayers in this difficult time. God grant you His peace and grace always. I have always felt that if the angels were jealous of anything man can do that they cannot, it is our ability to die offering ourselves completely to Our Lord. I know your son did just that and so the angels will certainly lead him swiftly to heaven. May God grant you His Comfort in your giving so selflessly your son to Him.
All of our love,
Jim, Gretchen and Margaret Mills
February 15, 2014
Jim & Shari Novak
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you
February 15, 2014
Toni Farnham
Dear Maggie and your entire wonderful family....my thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve through your loss. But my heart is lightened a bit knowing what a wonderful person Charlie was and will always be in your hearts and minds. You will surely have a wonderful new angel watching out for you!!
February 15, 2014
Dear Dave and Cecile,
Our deepest sympathies at this difficult time of the passing of your dear son Charlie. Know of our heavy hearts and sincere prayers for you as parents, and for your children who have lost a brother. You did a beautiful job raising Charlie to his 23 years. May those memories of his happy life be a consolation to you. Love and prayers. Jim and Sheila Axt
February 15, 2014
WAVA ADAMS
MAGGIE AND FAMILY SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS HUGS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU
February 15, 2014
Karen Miles
To Maggie and her family I'm so sorry for your loss may God bless and keep you in this tome of sorrow...my prayers are with you.
February 15, 2014
Bev and David Richter
Maggie and family, we send our heart-felt sympathies. Know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
February 15, 2014
Dave and Cecile and family, my heart goes out to you. Having lost my own Erik two years ago this month brings this all back to me. You have not lost him, he is now your Angel. I feel Erik near me all the time as well as with his daughter Marley. You must hold on to this. I have to believe we will all be together again. Love you and am praying for you and Charlie. Helen Fortier Brown
February 15, 2014
Terry Lee Shannon-Miles
To my very dear and long-time friend, Maggie, and her family, I send my sincere sympathy. I can only imagine what you are all going through at this time. May God give you the strength to make it through, peace for your weary minds, and healing for your broken hearts. With much love, Terry.
February 15, 2014
Karen Ebersole
My thoughts and prayers go out to Dave & Cecile and family, and Charlie's beloved fiance, Monica. May God rest Charlie's sweet young soul in eternal peace and grant comfort to all his loved ones who will continue to carry his torch. My brother, Fr. Brian Bebak will offer a Mass for the repose of Charlie's soul and for consolation of Charlie's loved ones. May God bless & keep you all in this time of loss. Sincerely, Karen (Bebak) Ebersole
February 14, 2014
Joe Norton
I am sorry Dave and Cecile- I will be praying for your son, who sounds like a wonderful person and well loved by all. I will also pray for you and your family- I can only imagine the difficulty you are going through. May our Mother keep you close to her in these tough and difficult days- God Bless You Both
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