Louis George Heinecke's obituary appeared in the Utica (MI) Sentinel, Sec. 2, p. 1 on Dec. 31, 1959. It reads as follows:

The Rev. L. Heinecke's Final Call by Jesus...

"During his many years of ministry, Pastor Heinecke received calls to serve his Saviour in various fields of Kingdom work. He received his final call to be at his Savior's side on Monday, Dec. 28, 1959, with the words of Jesus spoken to him, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord."
The Rev. Louis G. Heinecke was born on October 3, 1891, at Frankentrost, Blumfield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan, the son of the Rev. Edward Heinecke and his wife, Augusta Dorow Heinecke. He was baptized in the Christian faith on October 4th of the same year at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church at Frankentrost.
After completing elementary schooling at St. John's Lutheran Church of Riley (St. Johns, Michigan), he entered training for the holy ministry at Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, completing his studies at Concordia Theological Seminary at St. Louis, Missouri in 1915. The same year he was ordained into the holy ministry at his first charge, St. John's Lutheran Church of Cheboygan, Michigan. He held subsequent pastorates at St. Michael's Lutheran Church of Belknap Township (Rogers City), Michigan; in the ministry to the deaf; and at Trinity Lutheran Church of Utica, Michigan, where he served as pastor since 1937.
Pastor Heinecke also served the Church as a member of the boards of the Lutheran School for the Deaf in Detroit and the Michigan Lutheran Children's Friend Society, Circuit Counselor, and until recently as member of the District Board of Directors.
In 1915 he was united in marriage with Agnes Charlotte Mezger, who survives. This marriage was blessed with seven children, all of whom survive him: Walter of Utica; Mrs. Lois Huggins of South Pasadena, California; Paul (Rev.) of Detroit; Godfrey of Utica; Mrs. Elyse Reynolds of Valparaiso, Indiana; Mrs. Margaret Eickoff of Atlanta, Georgia; and Miss Rhoda of New York City. He is survived also by 16 grandchildren; his brothers, Theodore, of Monroe; Martin of St. Louis, Missouri; Rev. Herman of Rogers City, Michigan; Edwin of Santa Ana, California; Walter of Palo Alto, California; and by one sister, Mrs. Irene Witt of St. Johns, Michigan. Preceding him in death were four brothers, Albert, Immanuel, Ernest, and Edward; and two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Wieler and Mrs. Dora Kampfe.
Pastor Heinecke was summoned to his eternal home on Monday, December 28, 1959. Christian funeral services will be conducted at Trinity Lutheran Churh of Utica on Thursday, December 31, 1959, at 1:30 p.m., and Christian burial under the auspices of the same church at Glen Eden Memorial Park of Farmington, Michigan.


Pastor Heinecke's body will lay in state at the Church from Tuesday noon until the hour of service at 1:30 Thursday afternoon.
An honor guard will be stationed at the Church, around the clock, until the hour of service. Anytime, day or night, one may go to pay his respects.
Officiants at the Church will be the Rev. N.M. Streufert and Rev. F.E. Kipp, and the preacher will be the Rev. E.C. Weber. In charge of the committal at the Glen Eden Memorial Park will be Rev. Streufert.


Pastor Louis G. Heinecke served not only his Church and its members, but was active in the entire community.
His fortieth year in the ministry, 1955, was celebrated on a Sunday afternoon in the High School gymnasium when the hall was packed, not only with members of his parish, but from hearly every home in the area, where his name was loved and respected. A substantial amount was given him for a trip to the Holy Land which he never realized. The weight of building a new church began to weaken him physically. He was determined to see the new Church completed ahead of schedule, in 1956.
This beautiful edifice will always stand as a monument to his work in Utica.
He was a member of the Utica Rotary Club but this, too, he had to leave because of his illness and the work of his Church.
Pastor Heinecke died in the service of his church. He planned to preach his farewell sermon on New Year's Day when his retirement became effective."

Rev. Louis Heinecke's record of service in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod:

1915 Cheboygan, Michigan
1915-1919 Ayr, Michigan
1919-1926 Belknap Twp. (Rogers City), Michigan
1926-1930 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1930-1937 Belknap Twp. (Rogers City), Michigan
1937-1959 Utica, Michigan