Mr. Heinzl was a journeyman machinist with District 9 International Association of Machinists who had worked at several area breweries, including Carling Brewing Company, Belleville, IL, and Anheuser-Busch and Falstaff in St. Louis, MO. He served as a trustee for Machinists Union Local 121 and was a member of Local 353.
Joe was a member of the St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish, Belleville, IL, where he was the co-founder of Cathedral Bingo, played the role of St. Nicholas for 25 years, and served on the Catholic School Picnic Committee. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Belleville Council 1028. He served as president of the Cathedral Holy Name Society, the St. Clair County Beekeepers Association, and the Southside Improvement Association. He was also a member of the Stag Retirees. Joe was a C.B. radio enthusiast, known by the handle “J.Fred.Muggs”. He enjoyed making duck and goose calls. Involved in the Boy Scouts of America, he was an Eagle Scout, was awarded the Order of the Arrow, and received many other awards from both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. He was a member of the River Bluffs Catholic Committee on Scouting.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Frederick Sr. and Edna Mae, nee Sorgea, Heinzl; a sister, Rose Marie Heinzl; and his mother-in-law, Mary Edith, nee Wood, Jaco Payne.
Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Sharon K., nee Jaco, Heinzl, whom he married on November 6, 1965;
three daughters, Nancy Susan (Richard) Lane of Columbia, IL,
Audrey Rae (Harold) Morgan of Granite City, IL,
and Angela Denise (Mathew) Waterbury of Belleville, IL;
two grandchildren, Amanda (Paul) and Jason (Dawne);
three great-grandchildren, Olivia, Aislyn, and Benjamin;
two brothers, Raymond (Mary Joann) Heinzl of Belleville, IL,
and Charles (Barbara) Heinzl of Swansea, IL;
and his beloved pets, Mia and Leo.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2016, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2016, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. John Myler officiating. Cremation will follow the services. Burial will be at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens, Woodlawn, IL, at a later date.
Condolences Left For Joseph F. Heinzl Jr.
We had a lot of good times. I will miss your forever smile and laughter. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Doerr , Belleville, Illinois, 62221
May God be with all of you and bring you comfort and peace. Our prayers are with you now and in the days to come. We always enjoyed being able to visit with Joe when we were in Belleville over the 4th of July.
Joe and Kathleen Davis, Linwood, Kansas, 66052
We are so very sorry for your loss. Joe was a wonderful man. His smile was contagious. Everyone loved his stories and his great sense of humor. We will keep so very many wonderful South Side memories with Joe in our hearts forever. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathy & Frank Hoffmann, Freeburg, IL, 62243
I met Joe through the Beekeepers.
Joe was an interesting person and will be missed.
ken schaefer, belleville, il, 62223
I consider Joe a relative, since he married my cousin. He was a real gentleman, with a great sense of humor – fun to be around. He was also kind and thoughtful of people.
Charles Sulcer, Olney, Illinois, 62450
Sharon you and Joe are in my prayers. I enjoyed visiting with you and Joe at the family reunions.
Don Zinkl, Windsor, Ca, 95492
Sharon: I was so sad to read of Joe’s death. His obituary was a testimony to a life well lived. He made a huge contribution in so many areas of his life. My heart goes out to you and I am keeping you in my prayers. I have good memories of the times we spent together. You will always be dear to me. I hope you are ok.
Love, your friend, Harriett
Harriett Koch, Mount Vernon, Illinois, 62864