Submitted by: Dan Rich

John R. Heintzelman

Sept. 19, 1909 - Sept. 17, 2005

South Bend Tribune 9/20/2005

Longtime South Bend resident John R. Heintzelman, 95, died Saturday, Sept. 17, in Boca Raton, Florida, of pneumonia and complications. Born Sept. 19, 1909, to George and Leoma Heintzelman, Mr. Heintzelman, known to his friends as "Rudy," attended South Bend schools, graduated from South Bend Central with the Class of 1927, and then the South Bend College of Commerce. He married Ethel Nedderman, also Central '27, on Sept. 10, 1933, and initially went to work in one of the local banks.

In the late 1930s, Mr. Heintzelman purchased and reorganized the United Beverage Co. of South Bend, Inc. (wholesale beverages) which he owned and operated until he passed it down to son-in-law, Matthew R. Dee, and later, Jeffrey Dee and Leonard Nelson. During his years as a businessman, Mr. HeintzeIman was active in a number of civic organizations including the Elks Club and the Shriners. He became a 32nd Degree Mason in 1944. As a lifetime member of Grace United Methodist Church (he was recognized for 69 years of membership in 1989), he was an active member of the building committee responsible for moving the congregation from its location at Michigan and Tutt Streets to its present home on Twyckenham Drive.

A Notre Dame fan for all of his life, Mr. Heintzelman talked his way into viewing occasional football practices when he was a Tribune paper boy and Knute Rockne was coach. He knew well all subsequent coaches, often gave summer employment to players, and generally traveled to away games on the team train with other South Bend friends and fans. In 1976, in return for a scholarship gift, Notre Dame placed a plaque with his name on it in loge 6-D in the new Athletic and Convocation Center. He was also an enthusiastic golfer, belonging first to the Morris Park Country Club and, later, to Signal Point in Niles and to the South Bend Country Club. At the latter he served in a number of capacities including that of president. In Florida he belonged to Coral Ridge and Pine Tree Golf Clubs. The Heintzelmans divided their time between Indiana and Florida for many years until they moved permanently to Boca Raton in 1989.

Mr. Heintzelman headed a large family. He is survived by his wife, Ethel N. Heintzelman, now living in Boca Raton. Of his four daughters, Lynn H. Dee predeceased him. Surviving are Cynthia H. Campbell, Marcia H. Connolly and Sheryl H, Hill and their spouses, Donald L. Campbell, John S. Connolly Jr. and R. Len Hill, as well as Matthew R. and Marilyn Dee. His grandchildren are Laurie Bauchman, Julie Bauchman, John Connolly III, Melissa Connolly Orlov, Jeffrey O. Dee, Melanie Dee Nelson, James P. Murphy Jr., John Murphy and Allison Murphy Simpson. The Heintzelmans have 14 great- and step-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will take place at Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 S. Twyckenham, South Bend, IN 46614, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Friends will have an opportunity to visit with Mrs. Heintzelman and family beginning at 10:15 a.m. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery. The family request that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Grace United Methodist Church.