WAYNE J. HEINZELMANN

Wayne Heinzelmann, 89, passed away January 26, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital. The Fort Wayne native was born on December 20, 1920. He was the son of late Julius and Clara Heinzelmann. He attended South Side High School and graduated with the class of 1939. He was a conductor for Pennsylvania Rail Road and Conrail for 42 years. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 729th Railway Operating Battalion taking men and supplies to the front line often having to lay tracks ahead of the trains. In 1946, he married his wife of 64 years, Margery Quackenbush. Wayne and his wife moved to Tri-Lakes, Columbia City, Indiana in 1979 and then retired in Florida in 1987. Wayne was a member of St. Henrys Catholic Church, Fort Wayne; St. Paul of the Cross, Columbia City; and Resurrection Catholic Church, Lakeland, Florida. He was also a member of the American Legion, Moose Lodge and Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. Wayne loved his sports playing softball and baseball as a young man. In his later years, he golfed and played in a senior softball league in Florida for 10 years. He will be mourned by his wife, Margery; daughter Susan (Terry) Miller of Columbia City, sons Robert (Lou) of Columbia, SC and Thomas of San Jose, CA; grandchildren Jackie Miller, Adrian (Casey) Miller, Laura Julius, Tiffany DePriest, Krista, Nicholas (Beth), Christopher and Tavis (Katie) Heinzelmann; and 8 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers Donald and Robert. Mass of Christian Burial is Monday, February 1, 2010 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Church, Columbia City with calling 1 hour prior to service with the Reverend Larry Cramer officiating. Burial at Green Hill Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorials to Parkview Hospice Huntington/Whitley Branch. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register.