Ralph Heyn
June 6, 1929 — June 17, 2016
Ralph Allen Heyn, age 87 years of Niles, Michigan died at 2:10 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2016 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.
He was born on June 6, 1929 in Bridgman, Michigan to Emil Robert and Minnie (Ott) Heyn. He was graduated from Bridgman High School, and has lived in Bridgman and Niles all of his life. He enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving four years as a radio mechanic, and was honorably discharged as a Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was first employed at Bendix Aerospace in South Bend, and later employed at Leco, and Zenith. At each shop, he was involved in the most advanced electronics of the time.
Ralph was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles where he served as an Elder, Sunday School Teacher, and Usher. He enjoyed his vegetable garden at home, fishing in area lakes, and building birdhouses and feeders in his home workshop where he was capable of repairing almost anything. His greatest joy was his family.
On April 18, 1953 in Baroda, Michigan he married the former Marie Frances Trapp with whom he celebrated the Fifty-eighth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on December 23, 2011. Ralph was also preceded in death by his brothers, Walter Heyn, Tage Heyn and Gilbert Heyn.
Surviving family includes their children, Mark Heyn, Paul (& Kathleen) Heyn, and Betty (& Larry) Jerdon, all of Niles, Mary Crosson of LeClaire, Iowa, and Bill (& Maggie) Heyn of Commerce, Michigan; grandchildren Todd (& Laina) Jerdon, Beth (& Brian) Lee, Bradley (& Leslie) Jerdon, Elizabeth (& Christopher Hassinger) Heyn, Lauren (& William) Benson, HM3 Matthew Crosson, U.S.Navy, Alexander Crosson, Caitlin Heyn, Daniel Heyn, and Michael Heyn; great-grandchildren Elisha, Elijah, Kysa, Brady, Gabriella, Matea, Max, and Isabel; and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Ralph Heyn will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles with the Rev. Joseph T. Liss of the church officiating. The service will conclude in the churchyard with Full Military Honors by the United States Air Force Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan. Committal service will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Bridgman.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Ralph may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1340 Sycamore Street, Niles, Michigan 49120.