Services for Charles Duane Heinz were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 31 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. Visitation was after 1 p.m. Sunday, with family present from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pastor Larry Monthei of the Dawson United Methodist Church provided words of comfort. Casket bearers were Matthew Heinz, Michael Heinz, Steve Chapman, Tim Chapman, Randy Schuhardt and Jim Thompson.
Elta Summerson was the pianist. Hymns chosen were “How Great Thou Art,” “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Waltz of the Angels.” Interment took place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Yale.
Charles Duane Heinz, eldest son of Carl Julius Heinz and Fay Lorene Chapman Heinz, was born Oct. 6, 1932, on his grandparents’ farm located across the road from the Dallas County Cemetery (commonly called the Dawson Cemetery) and died Oct. 25, 2016, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 84.
Chuck, as he was lovingly known, lived most of his life as a farm boy south of Dawson in Lincoln Township. He attended various rural schools in that area through the eighth grade and graduated Dawson High School in 1950.
He and his brothers, Roland and Carroll, worked together on the farm and learned to run the tractor and work in the fields at an early age. Chuck farmed with his father following school.
Chuck was drafted into the U.S. Army Jan. 19, 1953. He received his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, where he attended bulldozer and road grader schools.
Dorothy joined him, living in a trailer moved from the Trotter farm. They lived off base in Rolla.
Chuck served during the Korean Conflict era. As a member of Engineering Battalion 6-30th, Chuck helped build roads through the mountains and timbers of Korea. These roads would be used as supply routes to the front lines.
He was rightfully proud of building many ball fields for the youth of Korea. Chuck was also proud that just nine months after arriving in Korea and running his bulldozer, he was promoted to Sergeant EF Class.
He was honorably discharged on Jan. 31, 1961, and returned home to Dorothy and soon welcomed son Kevin.
He started farming on his own and later ended up living on the farm that his great grandparents settled on in 1883 upon arriving from Germany. Chuck was the fourth generation to live on and farm the land.
Chuck treasured his friends from his military days and attended a Korean Buddies reunion in Branson, Mo., for more than 20 years.
He always enjoyed dancing at Lake Robbins as well as other dancing spots were special to him. Chuck enjoyed all music and played the harmonica.
He had a great fascination with airplanes and could spend countless hours observing and admiring them.
He had a good memory and shared stories with his family. Chuck was a people person and made friends easily.
He was a former Elks Lodge member and a current Farm Bureau member.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Howard Townsend.
Chuck will be greatly missed by his children, sons, Kevin and wife, Betty, of Minburn and Orlin and wife, Kerri, of Perry; daughter, Charlyn Heinz Andrews of DeSoto; two grandchildren, Melody Heinz Dittmer and husband, Tyler, and their children, Avenelle and Madison, and Joshua Heinz and wife, Lacey, and their sons, Charles and Daniel. He will also be missed by his brothers, Roland and wife, Jane, of Dawson and Carroll Heinz and wife, Gail, of Pearl River, La.; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends.
