Our world lost a beautiful woman when Jesus welcomed Myrtle Irene Heinz through the gates of heaven on March 1, 2019. Irene’s husband Dennis F. Heinz began his love affair with his Sweet Pea exactly thirty-nine years to the day of her passing. Together they raised nine children in their family including many grand and great-grandchildren and gathered many long-time family friends.
Irene was born to Pat and Myrtle Kosier on July 15, 1944 in Knoxville, Tennessee and grew up in the hills of the Jelico Mountains in the small coal town of Stinking Creek. Though she left the hills at a young age, her hillbilly roots ran deep and strong for the mountains of home. This love of southern country led to her love of music and singing.
Irene loved to sing and perform for others and will always be remembered in the music of her favorite songs. She felt great joy in giving of her joyful voice and was never far from her karaoke microphone. She will now be on tour singing with the angels.
Irene also enjoyed watching movies, shopping, baking (we will all miss her famous Hello-Dolly bars, cheesecake and decadent fruit cakes at family gatherings and Christmas), trying her luck at the casinos with all of the excitement of the bright lights, bells and whistles, winter ice-boating, summer sail-boating and spring and fall cruises around the lake in the corvette. She had love for all the seasons of her life and those lucky enough to share it with her.
Irene is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Jay, Gene, Linda, Faye and Tudy, and son-in-law David Hodges (Cowboy). She is mourned and survived by her darling Dennis, her brother Daniel (Jody) Kosier (Chong), children Donna Hodges, Anita Gubin, Barbara Van Clake, Sylvia Gohlke (Dave), Rose Neubauer (Scott), Elizabeth Kimball (Bruce), Todd Heinz (Diana), Tammy Provisor (Dennis), and Tracy Heinz. Grandchildren Cassandra Elmergreen (Justin), Danielle Alvarenga (Anthony), Ryan Hodges (Mandy), Desiree Sunday (Kyle), Dustin Gubin (Leah), Emily Gubin (Jacob), Karley Gohlke, Melissa Gohlke (Nate), Collin Neubauer, Alyssa Neubauer, Macy Kimball, Evelyn Provisor, Rachael Heinz, Andrew Heinz, and Leah Heinz. Great Grandchildren Gavin Elmergreen, Madlyn Mallard, Dean Sunday, Asher Gubin, and Ahlanna Hodges (brother Benjamin).
A funeral service celebrating Irene’s love of life and music will be held at Living Waters Lutheran Church at 1585 S. Oakwood Road (Oshkosh) on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 11:30 am with Reverend John S Dorn officiating. Music is provided by son-in-law Dennis Provisor of Grass Roots fame and daughter Elizabeth Kimball. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 am until time of service.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Ascension Mercy Medical Center for their care and compassion for Irene and the family. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift to the Living Waters new building extension fund is appreciated so others can reap the benefits of salvation, something Irene truly believed in.
