Heinz G Pannenberg

Heinrich “Heinz” Gerhard Pannenberg (1924 ~ 2018) at age 93, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2018 at his residence in St. Clare Commons, Perrysburg, OH. He was born October 15, 1924 to Josef and Maria in Ochtrup, Germany near the Dutch border where he enjoyed a loving home and carefree childhood. At 18, he was drafted into the German Army (Wehrmacht) and began serving in southern France and Italy. He was captured by American troops at the invasion of Anzio Beach south of Rome, Italy and became a P.O.W. for three years, first in America and later in Scotland. Returning home in 1947 he earned his Master Electrician degree. He met the love of his life Helene “Leni” Sieberg. They married in 1953 and immigrated to Canada and in 1958 came to the United States. Heinz and Leni became American citizens and raised four children in their home in Temperance, Michigan. Heinz spent most of his working life at Toledo’s GM Powertrain Plant as an electrician and plant engineer. Heinz wrote a book about his WW II experience titled, “From Shore To Shore – My Life From 1942 to 1947”. It was presented to many retiree groups. A presentation made to the Maumee Rotary Club in 2015 earned him the Paul Harris Award, their highest honor. Heinz and his wife enjoyed singing in church choirs in Michigan and Ohio for almost 28 years. His greatest joy was his family, his home and his garden. It was his American Dream. “Opa” and his tool box often found their way to many a project and repair. One of the greatest ironies in Heinz’s life occurred on May 23, 1984, when his oldest son Mark, graduated from the Military Academy at West Point. It was 40 years to the day from his capture at Anzio Beach, Italy under the command of General Mark Clark, himself a West Point graduate. Heinz was a faithful husband and loving father. He encouraged hard work, honesty, respect and pride in one’s family and ancestry. He lived most of his life in the Toledo area but his spirit remained forever in his native village of Ochtrup. Heinz is survived by his wife of 65 years; his four children, Rita (Dr. Richard) Thomas, Ingrid (Bart) Beavers, Mark (Tracy) Pannenberg, Bryan (Dawn) Pannenberg; 20 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Willi; and sister, Maria; and the extended families in Germany. We would like to thank St. Clare Commons for their kind help and loving care as well as Hospice of N. W. Ohio. Visitation will be held at St. Clare Commons, 12469 Five Point Road, Perrysburg, Ohio on Friday, August 24, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Followed by a Rosary Service at 6:00 p.m. The funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, August 25 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sylvania, Ohio at 10:00 a.m. Funeral arrangements were made by Witzler-Shank Funeral Home in Perrysburg, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Sylvania, Ohio, Heinz and Leni scholarship fund at Saint Francis de Sales School, 2323 West Bancroft, Toledo, Ohio 43507, or Hospice of N. W. Ohio.