Longtime Resident Wilbert Heckmann is Thrilled to have a CCRC So Close To Home
As the only Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) close to his hometown of Oak Lawn, Wilbert Heckmann decided that there is no place he would rather retire than Smith Village. After living in the area since the 1960s, Heckmann knows the neighborhood intimately and can describe the local businesses of both today and yesterday that he has frequented throughout the years.
His favorite restaurant is Pete’s, where he has been going so often to dine that the waitresses greet him as a friend and have a special table waiting for him. Of course, he also meets the local MOL (Men of Leisure) group at the Beverly Woods once a week for good company and good food!
Mr. Heckmann does, however, do his share of traveling. With a brother in Michigan and a daughter in California, Heckmann makes sure he gets out for a visit with them periodically. But while Michigan and California are relaxing and beautiful, Chicago’s south side will remain his home. “I always try to make it back in time for my MOL meetings,” says Heckman.
In picking out his apartment at Smith Village, Mr. Heckmann wanted to be sure that he had an extra room for his craft. As an expert woodworker, there was no question that Mr. Heckmann would be bringing his tools with him to the new community, which he often uses to fashion gifts for his friends and family. He is thrilled to be able to pick an apartment that will have a den for woodworking and can double as a place for his family to stay when they come out to visit him in his new home.
