John Wiechmann

John G. Wiechmann, age 41 of Melrose, died Tuesday, April 27, 2010 in Big Lake, Alaska.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

John Gerard Wiechmann was born October 28, 1968 in Melrose, Minnesota to Lawrence and Mae (Niehaus) Wiechmann. He was baptized at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. John graduated from St. Mary's Grade School, Melrose High School, and St. Cloud Technical College. He worked many years at Syl's Ford in Albany and later at Ettle Transport in Melrose driving long distance hauling and maintenance on trucks. John was a very gifted auto and truck mechanic. He was good hearted and helped out anyone who needed it. John loved snowmobiling and four-wheeling.

Survivors include his daughter, Kasey D. Wiechmann of Freeport; parents, Larry and Mae Wiechmann of Melrose; brother, Tom (Joanne) Wiechmann of Melrose; sisters, Mary Jo Katz of Bemidji and Karen M. (Greg) Hoppe of Big Lake, Alaska; and many loving relatives and friends.

John was preceded in death by an infant brother, Gary Wiechmann; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Serving as urn bearer will be Aaron Wiechmann. Cross bearer will be Adam Wiechmann and scripture bearer will be Samuel Katz. Gift bearers will be Karen Hoppe and Mary Jo Katz. Mass server will be Tony Niehaus and lector will be Jan Herke. Eucharistic ministers will be Carol Niehaus, Vi Wiechmann and LuVerne Ritter. Honorary bearers will be John's friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Mary's Endowment Fund.