Edwin A. Heikkinen, 87, of Kenosha, WI, passed away on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at Grand Prairie Rehabilitation Center. Born in Ramsay, MI, on November 2, 1923, the 7th son of Finnish parents Jacob and Kaisa Emilia (Riikonen) Heikkinen, attended A.D. Johnson High School in Bessemer, MI, as did his other 10 siblings. Served in the Navy during World War II, where he attended officer’s training school at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Lettered in football and baseball and achieved the Little All-American Honor. Attended the University of Michigan for his A.B. and M.A degrees in Education and lettered in baseball. Taught history and physics and coached football, baseball, and basketball at Pontiac Central High School from 1949 – 1958 and taught physics and named head football coach at Pontiac Northern High School from 1958 – 1963 in Pontiac, MI. Taught physics at both New Trier East (Winnetka, IL) and West (Northfield, IL) from 1963 – 1983, coaching football for 11 of the years. Taught science and coached football at the U. S. Air Force High School in Woodbridge, Great Britain from 1983 – 1984. Worked as an assistant coach for his home town football team, A.D. Johnson High School in 1985. Wintered and taught mathematics to nursing students at Polk Community College in Winter Haven, FL in 1985 – 1992. Worked as an assistant coach for his home town football team, A.D. Johnson High School in 1985. Inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1991. Moved to Kenosha, WI, in December, 1993 to live near his daughter. On June 24, 1950, in Pontiac MI, he married Beatrice A. Gutzke. She was the school secretary at Pontiac Central High School where he was teaching. They were married 55 years until her death in 2005. Following her death, he moved to Wynwood of Kenosha where he resided with his dog, Boots until his death. He was an active member of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Kenosha, WI. He was avid University of Michigan fan, loved the New York Yankees, and was proud of his Finnish Heritage, his 10 brothers and sisters, and the upper peninsula of Michigan. He enjoyed keeping in contact with old friends and his surviving brothers and sister as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Surviving is one daughter, Mary (Jim) Williams of Pleasant Prairie, WI; two brothers, Arthur Heikkinen of Howell, MI, and Donald (Patricia) Heikkinen of Lillington, NC; one sister, Lillian Kelto of Munising, MI; one grandson, Robert (Allison) Williams of Carol Stream, IL; his dog, Boots. He was preceded in death by his wife, a daughter, Ann Patricia Heikkinen, a sister, Anna, and six brothers, John, George, Eino, Ralph, Carlo, and Wilho. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 20th, at Lamb of God Lutheran Church 8411 Old Green Bay Road, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158, at 12:00 p.m. Interment will on Monday, November 22nd, at 12:00 Noon at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at Lamb of God Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial to Lamb of God Lutheran Church would be appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Edwin’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Denise Gillmore
November 19, 2010
Dear Mary, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I will miss him very much. We enjoyed talking about Bessemer and Ramsey. He was a blessing to me. His housekeeper at Wynwood, Denise
Linda Heikkinen
November 19, 2010
Dear Mary and family,I was so saddened to hear that your father had passed away. My fond memories of him are when we visited he and your mom when Leslie was a baby. I got to know your parents pretty well during that visit and they made our trip so very special. The one thing I remember about your dad was how patient and kind he was. He talked alot about the Heikkinen family and during that trip I learned alot. I will always be grateful that I had the opportunity to get to meet and know your parents. My thoughts and prayers are with you as I know how difficult it is to lose a parent. I lost my mother 4 years ago last week and life has never been the same without her. May God comfort you and give you strength through this sad time.
Marcia Rutz
November 19, 2010
Rich and I met Ed for the first time at Jim and Mary’s wedding almost 30 years ago. Over the years we have come to know him as a soft-spoken, charming man with a beautiful smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. We have many wonderful memories of Ed but two things in particular will spark those memories and bring a smile to my face.It may sound funny but the first of those things is Ed’s crew cut. Ed had had a crew cut for as long as I’d known him. There was a time when he tried a more traditional hairstyle, probably at Bea’s suggestion, and I almost didn’t recognize him. It didn’t take long for him to go back to the crew cut. When I asked why he said he’d had a crew cut for so long it was hard to get his hair to do anything else.The second thing that will always remind me of Ed are pasties. Ed made the first pasty I ever had. We had gone to Ramsey with Mary and Jim for a long weekend many summers ago, Rob was still a little boy. We got to Bea and Ed’s house at about lunchtime and Ed had made pasties for each of us. He’d learned to make them from his mother. He told me that when his mother made pasties for her family each one was customized for the individual person’s likes and dislikes. I thought that was quite a feat considering the number of children she had to satisfy. A few years ago Mary taught me how to make pasties, sharing the secrets Ed had taught her. I don’t think mine will ever be as good as that first one I had in Ramsey. That may be more a function of the fun we had in Ramsey rather than the quality of the pasty itself even though it was very good.We will definitely miss Ed but we will never forget him!Marcia & Rich
Paul Erbach
November 19, 2010
Mary, Jim, Robert and Allison, we are so saddened to hear about Ed. He was such accomplished teacher, wonderful father and grandfather. We so enjoyed having time to sit and talk with him at your barbecues or family events. He could talk about most any subject-- He was interested in so many things. We will remember him fondly. He, Bea, and all of you will be in our hearts and our prayers. - Paul and Todd
Jerry Mineweaser
November 18, 2010
I am very saddened to read of the passing of Mr.(Coach) Heikkinen in today's Oakland Press. As a young man I was honored to have him both as a teacher and coach at Pontiac Northern High School. He, among many teachers and coaches at PNH, inspired me to also become a teacher and coach in my adult life. I know that I will reflect in the days ahead on numerous fond memories of him from nearly 50 years ago. I will remember when he was pleased and his eyes would twinkle as well as the times, we perhaps missed a blocking assignment and, his eyes would be like darts. He was one of many wonderful people that made growing up in Pontiac, Michigan special. My prayers go out to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.Jerry Mineweaser (PNH 1961)2419 Mayfair Dr.White Lake, MI 48383
Krista Heikkinen Nazelrod
November 18, 2010
Mary and Family, so sorry to hear the sad news. Please know you have much love and many prayers coming your way, especially during this difficult time. Love always, Krista
JoAnne Heikkinen Hamilton
November 17, 2010
Mary, I will always cherish the times spent with your Dad and Mom while they lived in Winter Haven. I have many memorable memories. My grandson (who is now 22) learned to climb steps at their house. And I will always remember that I went on their honeymoon with them to Kelto's cottage along with cousins Karen and Nancy. He did have a wonderful life.