Eugene Kenneth Heinle, 81, of Laurel, died on October 3, 2020, at his home.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 9th, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with Rev. Dr. Enna Antunez, pastor of the Laurel United Methodist Church, officiating. Pallbearers will be Rob, Scott, Paul, and Nathan Amundson, Tim Niedermann, Brian Gray, Lance Law, and Justin Wood. Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Smith Funeral Home with the Heinle family present from 6:00 to 8:00 Thursday evening.
Memorial contributions may be designated to UNI Men's Glee Christmas Show Fund.
Gene was born on January 1, 1939, in Grinnell, the son of Fred and Marjorie Lillie Heinle. He was raised in Grinnell and was a 1957 graduate of Grinnell High School. After high school, he served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
On February 18, 1967, he was united in marriage to Miriam G. Breuer, in St. Louis, Missouri. The couple lived in Des Moines and Marshalltown prior to moving to Laurel in 1970. Gene was employed with the State of Iowa D.O.T. as a construction technician II. He retired in 1997 after 33+ years with the state.
Gene was a 31-year member of the Grinnell Elks Lodge, and a member of the Laurel United Methodist Church, Grinnell American Legion, Grinnell Eagles Club, and Ducks Unlimited. He was a former Laurel City Council member.
Gene was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes football and basketball teams. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and horseracing. He was a history buff and really enjoyed visiting historical landmarks.
He is survived by his three sons, Steven Heinle of Urbandale, Stuart (Arin) Heinle of Las Vegas, and Craig (Alma) Heinle of San Jose, California; three grandchildren, Addison, Cole and Alexis; two sisters, Faye (Richard) Niedermann of Gilman and Betsy (Carl) Scott of Liscomb; and one brother, Raye (Louann) Heinle of Laurel. He was preceded in death by his wife Miriam in 1987; and his parents, Fred and Marjorie Heinle.
