Obituary of James Heinrichs

HEINRICHS – JAMES (JIM) 1945 – 2014 – age 69, of Neville, Saskatchewan passed away October 25, 2014 at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan. He is survived by his three children and four grandchildren; daughter Jackie and her husband Kent Wall and children Cloe and Connor Legault, daughter Cindy Heinrichs, daughter Bonnie and her husband Michael Munro and their children Emily and Cole. Also left to mourn are his five brothers; John, Jake, Harry and his wife Hannah, Ed and his wife Judy, and Ernie, plus his 2 sisters Sally and her husband Wayne Zacharias, and Jessie and her husband Abe Neustaeter. He also leaves three remaining sisters in-law, Laura, Francis and Phyllis and many nieces, nephews and his extended family and friends. Jim was predeceased by his parents Isaac and Sara Heinrichs, his brothers Isaac, Peter, Karl, Abe and Henry, his sister Helen along with her husband John Neustaeter as well as his sister in-law Sarah, brother in-law Terry Pukas , his nephew Trevor Pukas, niece Sadie Reddekopp and niece Theodora Neustaeter. Jim was born on February 14, 1945 at the family home in Chortiz to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Heinrichs. He attended school first in Versailles and then in Wymark where he enjoyed participating in sports including hockey, softball, and football. He also enjoyed caring for the livestock on the farm which continued throughout his farming career. He went on to attend post-secondary school in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan where he obtained an Interprovincial Auto Body Certificate. He married Marie Wall on July 26, 1968. In the early years of their marriage Jim had several jobs including owning an auto body shop in Herbert from 1969-1971. The couple moved many times but finally settled on their farm near Neville, Saskatchewan in the spring of 1976. It was there that they farmed and Jim built a body shop where he repaired various vehicles in the winter. He had a very successful auto body business and was known for his attention to detail and his personal service, finishing vehicles exactly the way customers wanted them. He also really enjoyed working at repairing small engines and farm equipment in general. Jim always enjoyed the outdoors and had taken up fishing with his brother Ed in the last few years. Farming was his true passion and he pursued that right up until his hospitalization in March of this year. He was so happy to hear that even though he could not help bring in the last crop, it was a good harvest. Jim’s most precious treasure was his three girls and his grandchildren. After his marriage ended, Jim would often say he didn’t need anyone else but his three girls. Some of the family’s best memories were playing hours of 500, cards and board games, and the yearly Christmas shopping weekends with his girls when they were older. He was always there for his family and would spend hours with his grandkids playing cards and baseball, doing puzzles and caring for countless baby dolls. He was also known to sneak into his daughters’ homes and leave little surprises for his kids and grandkids – chocolate, oranges, and little notes. He always ended his conversations, notes and visits with three simple words, “I love you.” Jim had a strong faith and was comforted in his final days by the power of prayer. He always believed that his true reward was waiting for him in heaven and that is where he longed to be. We can all take strength from 2 Corinthians 5:6-8. “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Funeral services were held Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Bridgeway Community Church, with Pastor Bob Cappelle officiating. Interment was held at the EMC Cemetery at Chortitz, Saskatchewan. Honorary pallbearers were Elvina Braun, Darlene Bueckert and Angie Friesen. Active pallbearers were Jake Heinrichs, Sally Zacharias, Ed Heinrichs, Jessie Neustaeter, Frank Braun and Fred Wernicke. For further information or to sign the family book of condolences, visit our website at www.parksidefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in care of Parkside Memorial Funeral Home.