Harry Richard Heinze, 84, died peacefully in his sleep at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, March 22, 2013, due to kidney failure resulting from surgical complications of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, a favorite uncle, and a devoted friend, who never lost his sense of humor in the hospital, endearing him to nurses and staff there. He was an example of hard work, honesty, and integrity. Harry enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle or blackjack, baseball, bowling, water skiing (especially slalom shore-starting), boating, and traveling across the United States and Canada for 20 years in their motor homes.

Born in Teton, Idaho, on May 28, 1928, Harry was the ninth of 12 children born to Gottfred and Katharine "Katie" (Maier) Heinze.Harry grew up in Idaho, first in the Moody Creek area, then moving to Jackson in the sixth grade and Springdale shortly afterwards. He attended schools in Rupert, Springdale (located on the corner of his family's property) and Burley, where he lettered in high school football and graduated from Burley High School in 1946.Harry then enlisted in the United States Marine Air Corps, serving 11 months at the end of World War II.In 1950, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving two years during the Korean Conflict and being discharged as a Sergeant First Class.

Harry married Edna Rigby on Feb. 12, 1954, in Burley, Idaho.They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Seattle Washington LDS Temple on Oct. 22, 1993. They are the parents of three children, Alan Jeffrey (Caren McManamon) of Pasco, Wash., Denise Pedersen (Lane) of American Fork, Utah, and Blake Harry (Maria Ayala) of University Place, Wash.

Harry served two years in the Active Reserves and worked in road construction while attending Idaho State College Trade School, where he earned a degree in printing in 1956. He worked at the Springville Herald for one year before moving to Selah, Wash., where he was employed at the Selah Valley Optimist, a weekly newspaper and commercial print shop. In 1961, Harry and Edna purchased the Selah Valley Optimist from Lee Crossen, a Yakima County commissioner. They sold the business in 1979. Harry also drove school bus for the Selah School District, owned and managed Valley Vista, an eight-unit apartment complex, and worked for the Wapato School District as a printer for five years before retiring in 1992. He also managed a Montgomery Ward's Catalog Store in Ellensburg for six months. Harry and Edna moved to Burley in March 2006.

During the 49 years spent in Selah, Harry was very involved in the community. He was chairman of the Selah Community Days, grand marshal of the Selah Community Days Parade, Selah Chamber of Commerce board member, president of Selah Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the City of Selah's Planning Commission. Harry helped instigate T-Up baseball in Selah, writing rules and fundamentals, and he coached PeeWee baseball. His team won the Midget Minor League Championship in 1966.

After joining the LDS Church, Harry fulfilled many different callings. He was an elders quorum president, general secretary (executive secretary), finance clerk, ward high priests group leader, high councilor over Young Women and public relations, Young Men president, secretary to the stake high priests group, Selah Ward bishopric counselor, and stake physical facilities representative. When the first stake center was built in the Yakima, Wash., area (the Yakima Stake Center), Harry cleared all the orchard off of the land as he was a certified heavy equipment operator. He was also instrumental in securing the property for the Selah Ward/Stake building from the city of Selah.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Fred, John, Edward, Melvin G. and Albert F.; and four sisters, Nettie Gould, Lydia Winters, Pauline Knopp and Irene Marvin.

He is survived by his wife; sons; daughter; one sister, Frieda Neiwert (Reuben-deceased) of Burley; one brother, Ruben of Kennewick, Wash.; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at noon Thursday, March 28, at the Burley LDS 3rd and 7th Ward Church, 2200 Oakley Ave., in Burley, with Bishop David Hansen officiating. Military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization. Burial will be in the Pella Cemetery. Friends and family may call from 10:30 until 11:40 a.m. Thursday at the church prior to the service.

The family would like to express their appreciation for all of the thoughts, prayers, support, and love that have been offered in theirs, and Harry's, behalf.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.