John Edward Heinrich

John Edward Heinrich 64, of Holland, left this earth Sunday December 9, 2012. John was born July 10, 1948 in Toledo, Ohio to Ralph and Lena Lehman Heinrich. He attended Start High School where he excelled at football and track. He earned a full track field scholarship to The Ohio State University and held records in high hurdle and an existing record in the low hurdle. After graduating from Ohio State, he attended Mississippi State where he obtained his masters degree. John joined the Air Force and became a fighter pilot instructor during the Vietnam conflict. Flying A-7s and F-16s, John was a Lt. Colonel with the Ohio Air National Guard 180th Tactical Fighter Group, serving faithfully and with pride, completing his duties in October 1994. He was a Captain with Northwest and Delta Airlines where he enjoyed a lengthy and professional career, completing his last flight in the Airbus A320 in September. John was a vice president with Merrill Lynch, Heinrich-Kamal Group, where he specialized in helping fellow pilots manage and grow their retirement assets. He was an avid traveler, high-performance automobile enthusiast and frequent golfer. He was a lover of sports and all animals, especially doting on his birds. John was predeceased by his parents Ralph and Lena. He is survived by his wife Lisa Herring; sons Don Maria and Joseph Courtney; sisters Marilynn Ted Stapleton and Susan Broeren; and grandsons Jonathan and Ethan. Arrangements by the Walker Funeral Home 5155 W. Sylvania Ave with visitation Wednesday from 2-8 PM. Funeral services will be held at the Heritage Church of God on 3520 Strayer Rd., Maumee Thursday at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Pilots For Kids, 467 Woodsedge Lane White Lake, MI 48386, The Toledo Humane Society 1920 Indian Wood Circle Maumee, Ohio 43537 or Hospice of Northwest Ohio 30000 River Rd. Perrysburg, Ohio 43551