Harvey J Hephner

Chilton WI

Harvey James Hephner, aged 90, passed away Thursday after a lengthy illness. Harvey was born September 6, 1934 to Jay and Zoea (Young) Hephner in the Town of Rantoul. 

Harvey graduated from Chilton High School in 1953. After serving in the U.S. Army, Harvey returned home to work on the family dairy farm and also at the Chilton Canning Company. On January 23, 1965 Harvey married the love of his life, his wife Delores. For many years they raised a large family of 11 children and worked side by side running a successful antique business – going on buying trips in Canada and the East Coast and then holding large auctions in California. When they weren’t on buying trips, Harvey and Delores were selling to other antique dealers at auction malls, flea markets, and from their home. Harvey also spent many years and put many miles on his truck going door to door through five states selling on his own fish route. 

Harvey was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Chilton. He was a devoted member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Chilton for many years and helped his wife with the annual church rummage sales they were so proud of.  His religion was very important to Harvey and he carried his original scapular from his First Communion in his wallet for many years. 

Harvey is survived by his children Wesley Grube Jr., William Grube, Gordon (Julie) Grube, Arthur (Arlene) Grube, Michael Grube, Rita Diener, Kate Hephner and Harvey Jay (Cindy) Hephner; daughters-in-law: Deb Grube, Carol Grube; 31 grandchildren: Wesley (Jackie) Grube, III, Timothy (Koreen) Grube, Jessica (Scott) Hoene, Chad (Alicia) Grube, Chris (Jessica) Grube, Jason (Kathleen) Grube, William (Linda) Grube, Jr., Clinton (Jen) Grube, Jeremiah Grube, Aaron (Jamie) Grube, Joshua (Morgan) Grube, Emily (Nate) Olson, Matt (Tiffany) Engle, Travis (Jill) Engle, Nicholas (Christina) Grube, Nicole (Tim) Grube, Michael (Ashley) Grube, II, Lyndsey (Michael) Burg, Adam (Tracie) Grube, Joseph (Melissa) Diener, Amanda (Dan) Cohorst, Rebecca Diener, David Gaines, Jr. Cadie Anderson, Nathan Anderson, Jayson Schedgick, Alexis (Jackson) Draeger, Abigail (Nathan) Heppermann, Elizabeth Geiger, Daniel Hephner, Kelly (Dakota) Hephner; and over 40 great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and his siblings, Rev. John Hephner, Pearl (Henry) Vander Wielen, Earl (Joanie) Hephner, Russell Hephner, Janet Schmitz, and Teresa (Ron) Wroblewsk. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Jay and Zoea; his wife Delores, Delores parents Nicholas and Elizabeth Gruenke; sons Russell Grube and Steven Grube, beloved daughter Ruth Geiger; daughter-in-law Sue Grube, son-in-law Alan Diener, brothers-in-law Raymond Gruenke and Cyril Schmitz and grandchildren Angela, Jesse, Ashley, and Marc.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 am on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (54 E. Main St.) in Chilton with Rev. John Hephner and Rev. Jon Thorsen officiating.  Burial will be in the St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery.  A time of visitation will be held at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 and on Thursday at the church from 10:00 am until 11:15 am.  There will be a Parish Vigil Service at the funeral home at the close of the visitation on Wednesday evening.  At the time of the service and following, there will be a link available above for those wishing to watch a live stream or archived recording of the ceremony, watch a memorial video, or see pictures of the flowers and gifts given to the family.  

The family of Harvey would like to thank Compassus Hospice and the staff at Century Ridge in Chilton for taking care of our dad in his final days. Special thanks to Tracy Stephany at Century Ridge for guiding us through difficult times.