Edward Valentine Heintz was born in Portland, Oregon on February 10, 1931, and passed away in Tigard, Oregon on October 29, 2023. Ed was one of four sons born to Robert and Rose Heintz. He was predeceased by his three brothers Bob, Tom and Tim as well as grandson Tyler Heintz. Ed was a lifelong Oregonian and spent most of his life in Tigard.
Ed joined the Army and served in Korea from 1948 – 1951 when he was honorably discharged. He was very proud of his service and delighted in telling people that his unit was an inspiration for the television series MASH.
On January 10, 1953 Ed married Donna Casteel. They were married for 65 years until Donna’s death on March 4, 2018. They began a family in Astoria, Oregon and eventually moved back to Tigard where they raised seven children: Gary (JoAnne), Barry (Tami), Curtis (Debbie), Jeff (Johna), Karen, Kristin and Eric (Lisa) In their later years, their greatest joy came from grandchildren and great grandchildren: Sarah (Dustin), Knox and Kendall, Hiroko (Edel), Aika and Kenzo, Shawna and Payton, Allysha (Mike) Elloise, Everett and Edynne, Raechel, Nolan and Presley, Whitney (Aaron), Sophia, Oliver and Charlotte, Karleigh (Justin), Hudson and Finley, Jessica, Jaclyn (Jon), Makena and Sophia, Justin (Leslie), Derek, Maddie and Cassidy.
Ed started a long career with Pacific Northwest Bell, eventually retiring from his work as a phone lineman and repairman. While with the phone company Ed forged many lifelong friendships including Bert Janicke, Earl Ressler and Ken VanDyke. These friends became travel companions in retirement, crossing the country a few times in RVs. They made it to the Florida Keys and Bar Harbor, Maine and all points in between. When RV travel became more difficult, Ed and Donna spent a couple of winter months in Palm Springs each year and developed friendships there as well.
Ed and Donna made Tigard home and raised the family on Tigard Avenue, Greenburg Road and 116th Avenue. At the Greenburg house, dad had the joy of living next door to one of his best friends, John Bagan. John shared dad’s love of hunting, fixing things, laughter, and a snort on the backporch at the end of the day.
Dad loved family, fishing, carving (there are a lot of wooden knives and swords out there!), fixing things, oysters, trapping moles, the Gibson and lemon meringue pie. He was creative and believed virtually anything could be repurposed, even if it just became yard art.
Services are planned for Saturday, November 11, 2023 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 9905 SW McKenzie St. in Tigard. Rosary Service will begin at 10:30 am followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am. Burial services will follow at 12:30 pm at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, 13900 SW 115th Ave. in Tigard.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of our dad at The Stockpot Broiler, 8200 SW Scholls Ferry Road in Beaverton at 1:00 pm, immediately following the burial service.
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