Raymond (Pete) Jesse Heintschel

Raymond (Pete) Jesse Heintschel, 87, of Assumption, Ohio entered eternal rest in his home on January 9, 2022. Ray was born June 21, 1934 to Leo and Pearl (Mominee) Heintschel, as the 5th of 11 children. He grew up on his family’s farm on York Street in East Toledo, Ohio along with his 10 siblings. He attended Holy Rosary for grade school before graduating from Clay High School in 1952. While at Clay, he excelled on the gridiron. A 4-year starter, he was twice voted all-conference and served as co-captain helping to lead Clay to (2) undefeated championship seasons. He was later honored in 1989 with induction into the Clay High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

After high school, Ray began working with the Bostwick-Braun Company before he moved into the construction industry, where he spent the remainder of his career before eventually retiring from the Northwestern Concrete Wall Company in 1997. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18, which had recently recognized him as a Lifetime Member.

While construction was his trade, farming was in his blood. From his early childhood until his final harvest this past Fall, Ray was never happier than when he was working the land. He was proud to be a small family farmer and he was thrilled knowing that the family tradition would be continued on by his sons.

During his younger years, Ray loved participating in the men’s summer softball league. He was a very accomplished bowler, having spent dozens of years competing in both men’s and co-ed leagues. It was while bowling that Ray eventually met Marilyn Simon, his future partner and loving wife of almost 63 years. They would be married on May 9, 1959 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Assumption, Ohio. Ray would remain a faithful member of the St. Mary’s/Holy Trinity Catholic parish for the next 6 plus decades.

Ray and Marilyn would eventually raise a family of 4 children and 11 grandchildren. Family was and will continue to be everything to the both of them. Despite moving from the East side of Toledo to the cornfields of Fulton County to be closer to Marilyn’s family, he remained close with his siblings and their children. The Heintschel’s would host family BBQ Chicken potlucks out on the farm that are still remembered fondly by all today.

Ray served on the Evergreen Local Board of Education for 9 years and held the office of Board President in the final years of his term. He always enjoyed a good game of cards, especially Euchre, with close neighborhood friends. Additionally, while not an avid golfer, he did register a hole-in-one to his name in 1994.

In retirement, Ray used his talents to restore close to 20 antique Allis-Chalmers tractors. What started as a hobby, became a passion, and kept him busy year-round. He eventually joined the Heritage Farmers Antique Tractor Pullers Club and spent many of his summer weekends competing against his fellow members, when he was not off displaying his Orange Collection at various tractor shows.

But even his favorite pastime eventually took a back seat once his grandkids grew old enough to start competing in sports and participating in extra-curricular activities. He and Marilyn could be found cheering and supporting them on at almost every sporting event, no matter the weather. His grandkids were his pride and joy, and he would gush to just about anyone, including unknown waiters at many restaurants, about their accomplishments, no matter how big or small.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Pearl; his brother, William; and his sisters, Carol, Jean (Rettenberger), Elizabeth (Beham) and Esther (Hornstein). Ray is survived by his wife, Marilyn (Simon) Heintschel; his children, Laurie (Gerald) Sedlacek of Blissfield, MI; Gary (Michele) Heintschel of Metamora, OH; Joan (Nicholas) Rubel of Assumption, OH and Eric (Stacy) Heintschel of Charlotte, NC; his grandchildren, Mikayla and Grace Heintschel; Taylor, Shayne, Benjamin, Ryan, Hannah and Noah Rubel; and Katherine, Brady and Madison Heintschel; his sisters, Janet (Jim) Wlodarz, Delores Shumsky, Margaret Stoner and Theresa Ivan; his brother Gerald (Sandee Everhart) Heintschel; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 17th from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Metamora, where a Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, January 18th at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Assumption, where visitation will be one hour prior. Fr. Michael Dandurand will preside. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic School.