Claude Leo "Chum" Van Hefty Jr.

Claude Leo "Chum" Van Hefty Jr., age 84, passed away February 21, 2023. He was a current resident at New Perspective Senior Living in Green Bay, WI and previously lived in Oconto, Coleman, and Peshtigo, WI.
Claude was born in Oconto on October 9th, 1938 to Claude L. and Mildred (McAllister) Van Hefty Sr. He attended Victory Elementary and graduated from Oconto High School (Badger Boys State '54) Class of 1956. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a crane operator '57–59.
In 1960 he wed Marianne Krause; they later divorced. In 1975 he and Karen J. (Walker) Strojny were joined in marriage and they enjoyed 37 joyous, loving years together until her death on December 24th, 2013. He frequently remarked that she was the best thing that ever happened to him.
After proudly serving in the military, Claude worked for Cruiser Boats, Asa Foster Construction, and Krause Construction and assisted in building numerous homes, churches and educational institutions in NE Wisconsin, including Coleman High School. In 1964 he began a 34-year career with Badger Paper Mills. He took enormous pride that he was hired as an hourly worker and retired as President/CEO. He found it amusing when other executives asked if "Claude" was any relation to "Chum" as they only knew him by that name.
After retirement in 1998, Chum started his own consulting company, CVH Enterprises, Inc. He also became a minority owner/managing director of Precision Paper Converters in Kaukauna, and was active in numerous local organizations, including the Peshtigo Industrial Development Corp., WI/MI Timber Producers Association, U W Marinette, BAMC Foundation, PDC and World Paper Industry Hall of Fame, and other pulp and paper associations.
More than anything, Chum loved spending quality time with his family. He enjoyed fishing, whether at his lake home in St. Germain, WI or the scenic waters of Canada and Alaska. Other hobbies included traveling, bird-watching, coin-collecting, and cooking.
He is survived by children: Mark A. (Kris) of Appleton, WI, Michael D. of Rye, NY, Steven P. (Jillian) of Bella Vista, AR, Michael B. (Marcela) of Pensacola, FL, and Rebecca L.(Special Friend Brad) of Peshtigo, WI; 8 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and brother: Richard, of Peshtigo, WI. Claude was preceded in death by wife: Karen; parents: Claude Sr. and Mildred; brother: Donald; sisters-in-law: Sandy Van Hefty and Gloria Van Hefty.
Relatives and friends can greet the family on Sunday, February 26, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Lyndahl Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1350 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay, with a prayer service at 6:00 pm. A private inurnment will take place in Spring at a Cemetery in Oconto, WI.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Northeastern Wisconsin Audubon Society.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.lyndahl.com
The Lyndahl Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements.
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