Gerard “Howard” Heines
November 30, 1932 - September 2, 2023
Howard was born in Hackensack, New Jersey to Gerard Heines and Eva Drury. The family moved to West Lafayette, Indiana in 1942. Howard graduated from Klondike High School in 1950. He attended Purdue University for two years. In 1952, Howard joined the U.S. Navy. He served during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1956. Howard attended Naval school in San Diega, CA, Norman, OK and Pensacola, FL. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Seaplane Squadron VP-56 at the Naval Air station in Norfolk, VA as a photographer. It was there he met his wife-to-be, Betty Ann Nance. They were married on November 13, 1954. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, Howard went to work as an aerial mapper for Clyde E. Williams & Associates engineering company in South Bend, Indiana, and later worked for Air Maps Inc. in Elkhart, IN as the dark room supervisor. Howard retired from Air Maps in 1997.
In 1957, the family moved to a small farm in Lakeville, IN. Howard and Betty had three children, Rick, Joe, and Sheryl. Howard served as a 4-H leader for 20 years. He served 2 terms on the St. Joseph County Fair Board.
Howard was a 50-year member of the Lakeville Lions Club where he served two terms as president. He became the District 25G Dictionary Chairman in 2010. While serving as a Lion, Howard received the Melvin Jones fellowship award, W.P. Woods Progressive award, and two International Presidential Certificates of Appreciation. He was the district “Tail Twister” for several years.
Howard was a member of the Lakeville United Methodist Church. He served faithfully over the years as a greeter, usher and the bell ringer calling the congregation to worship. He advocated for and went on many mission trips to the Red Bird Mission in the hills of Kentucky. He also assisted with the food pantry.
Howard’s hobbies included raising and showing gladiolas. He was a member of the Indiana Gladiola Society. Raising, showing, and hybridizing dahlias. He was a member of the Elkhart Dahlia Society and the American Dahlia Society. In 1990, Howard introduced a brand new dahlia, Prom Queen, which won the distinguished American Dahlia Society Derrill W. Hart award. His final hobby was raising and hybridizing day lilies. His day lilies live on in many states across the US.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Betty; three children Rick (Marci) Heines, Joe (Elaine Cassala) Heines, and Sheryl (Ben) Baker; 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and a host of friends and loved ones.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at the Lakeville United Methodist Church, 610 N. Michigan Street, Lakeville, IN. Pastor Ed Mccutchan will officiate. Military graveside services and burial will follow at Porter Rae Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the church. Friends may also visit with the family beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Howard may be donated to Lakeville Lions Club, P.O. Box 506, Lakeville, IN 46536. Online condolences may be offered to Howard’s family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.