Marilynn Heinerich

Marilynn S. Heinerich (Hartlerode/Stice), 89, of Benton Harbor took her final journey into Her Lord’s waiting arms, surrounded by loved ones at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, on Tuesday, August 20, 2019. The following close family members preceded her in death: her parents, Raymond and Elsie Hartlerode, her sister, Laureen Young, her husband, John J. Heinerich, and her step-son, John W. Heinerich. She leaves behind a void in the hearts of: her two children, Daniel Stice (Karen) of Stevensville, MI, and Denise Stuart (Raymond) of Granger, IN, her two step-children, Lonna Davis of Lutz, FL, and Greg (Ginny) Heinerich of Benton Harbor, MI. Also missing her deeply are numerous friends, neighbors, and family members. Her fun stories and loving attention always filled the air wherever she was, at social occasions, holiday parties, even when unexpected visitors arrived at her door. She cherished her 12 Grandchildren: Ken Stice (Nancy), Mark Stice (Amy), Amasa Stice, Scott Crawley (Ann), Jane Stuart (Jim Donovan), Laura Stuart (Michael McLain), Greg Working, John W. Heinerich Jr. (Melissa), Jeremy Heinerich, Joshua Heinerich, Paul Yakel (Beverly), and Shelly Mcgarey. She adored her 17 Great-Grandchildren: Emily Stice, Meghan Stice, Olivia Stice, Isabelle Stice, Jude Crawley, Davis Crawley, Harley Heinerich, Jaron Heinerich, Brody Heinerich, Keigen Heinerich, Leo Zink, Josh Benya, Chloe Bryant, Jocelyn Puleo, Alli Mcgarey, Tyler Mason, and Morgan Mason. There was a very special place in her heart for Great-Great-Grandson, Anthony Benya. In 2015 she was asked what information she would like included in her obituary, when the time came. Her answers were: 1. She and John traveled the world together, having some of the greatest times of their lives. 2. Her nickname was “Whoopi”, given to her by Pastor Fred Davey, (after Whoopi Goldberg’s character in the “Sister Act” movies). She couldn’t hold her body still when directing the church choir, especially during “peppy” hymns. She often admitted she was not a skilled choir director, but she knew how to ”stand ‘em up, and sit ‘em down” quite well. 3. She always had hugs to share, even with strangers. One Sunday, after church, she spotted a man sitting alone in the fellowship hall. She introduced herself, and gave him a hug. She thought he was a new visitor to the church and wanted him to feel welcomed. Months later, she saw his face on the front page of her newspaper. He was on the FBI’s Most Wanted List for a local murder. He had stopped into the church that day, seeking financial assistance. 4. She loved her church family as much as her own family. 5. After she met, fell in love with, and married John J. Heinerich, she became an avid Notre Dame Football fan. 6. She enjoyed telling funny stories, laughing at herself, and making people laugh. 7. Living in the same Benton Harbor neighborhood all her life, she never moved more than 300 feet from her childhood home. She proudly told folks that she was once the baby of the neighborhood, and then became the old lady of the neighborhood. 8. She loved to sing, and played the piano and organ. Well, believe us, there’s a lot more…. Marilynn was born April 20, 1930 to her loving parents, Raymond and Elsie Hartlerode. Even as a toddler, she was a quiet, obedient child. Her parents were not prepared when her younger sister, Laureen, came bursting into the world three years later, with a very different outlook on life. Marilynn was a reserved young girl, and a serious student. At age 11, she was chosen to be the Statue of Liberty on the Sorter School float in the annual Blossomtime Kiddie Parade. She was pretty sure it was because her mother was the head of the PTA that year…. She always felt her sister was prettier and funnier than she was. Marilynn was a shy, modest teenager. When some of her girlfriends started getting married soon after their graduation from Benton Harbor High School, she worried she would be an “old maid”. In 1948, she met Freeman Stice and within 5 months they were married. They moved into a small house, just a stone’s throw from her childhood home. Together they had 2 children, Daniel and Denise. Dan’s personality was similar to his mother’s. Denise, however, took more after her own “busy” sister. The couple worked as a team to build a larger home on the property behind her parent’s home. The marriage didn’t work out, and at age 37, she found herself divorced. Marilynn began to work full time to keep her family financially stable. She took a job as the secretary/office manager at General Building Maintenance, and worked there for decades. Seeing how other women in the workplace wore makeup and had their hair styled at salons, she began her transition into a more modern woman. In 1968, she met John J. Heinerich while working at a home show for local businesses. He walked into her booth, aggressively flirting with her. She thought he was the most obnoxious, short man she’d ever met, and she told him so. A few weeks later, John plotted a way (by letting the air out of one of her tires at work, reporting the problem to her, and kindly fixing it for her) to get her to buy him a cup of coffee at the Homestead Restaurant. In the short, pleasant time they spent there together, John smoothly sold himself to her, showing her his more refined side. He introduced her family to Notre Dame Football, and everyone became avid fans. During fall seasons, her heart often went into A-Fib while watching nail-biting games. She and John dated, and then secretly slipped away to get married in Las Vegas in 1970. Marilynn inherited 3 wonderful stepchildren, and a life style much different than she’d ever known. She found herself surrounded by a big, fun, boisterous group of in-laws when she joined the Heinerich Gang. Marilynn and John both worked hard, which allowed them to travel the world together for 35 years. They were a popular couple to be around. During many social gatherings, if a Frank Sinatra love song was playing, you’d find them in each other’s arms, dancing. They enjoyed telling fun stories. (FYI - there may have been “slight exaggerations” involved in the telling of some stories…) Playing cards, especially Euchre, with family members and dear friends was a favorite pastime. Marilynn was a talented pianist, and enjoyed singing. She passed down her love for music to her son, Dan, and several of her grandchildren. She was extremely proud of her many family members who served, and still serve, in the armed forces to protect our freedom in her beloved USA. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and family member. She easily gave children and adults attention and love. Life was about having as much fun as possible, in her opinion. Marilynn and John lived life with gusto for years. As they began to age and slow down, they traveled less. They focused their energy on being more involved at their beloved Crystal Springs Church of God. Marilynn became the choir director and attended Bible Studies. John volunteered to help with church maintenance and lawn care. When John passed away in 2010, Marilynn was devastated. John had always taken care of everything for her. In the following 9 years, her physical health began to slowly decline. When she could no longer put on her makeup without help, we knew she was getting bored with her limited life. She did, however, continue to have her hair done weekly. Every Friday morning she had a standing appointment to “get beautified”. She remained a vivid example of a loving, faithful, Christian woman. She was blessed to have excellent doctors, skilled hairdressers, plus loving, caring neighbors, friends, and church members to help her. Many of those dear people, along with cherished family members, would call to check up on her, visit her, or stay with her. These wonderful folks allowed her to remain living in her home of 59 years until the end. She had hospital staff laughing that final morning. She developed a severe infection on Monday, August 19, and her angel came for her exactly 23 hours later, on Tuesday, August 20. Her earthly departure was quick, painless, and peaceful, exactly how she had hoped and prayed. Family members were holding her hands as she went Home. She will be greatly missed, but we know exactly where she is. We need to focus on showing love and support to others, declaring our faith in God’s Word and promises, and believing that Jesus is Our Lord and Savior. We hope to join her someday, when it is our turn to enter into the loving presence of Our Heavenly Father.