Victor Wilbur Heinitz (1923-2024)
On January 26, 2024, in the comfort of his home, Victor W. Heinitz passed away of natural causes at the young age of 100 years old. Victor was born in Fowler, Colorado on April 2, 1923, to John F. Heinitz and Gertrude L. Butler.
Vic moved from Colorado to Helena, Montana at age 6. He attended local schools, graduating from Helena High School in 1941. In 1943 he entered WWll as a communications specialist with the 323rd Sig Co Wing in the Army Air Corps until 1946.
While being a gentleman making sure a group of girls were okay, he met his future bride. Vic and Norma were married November 22, 1947. From this union they adopted four children.
Vic worked for Western Airlines for 39 years in various states. His final career move took him to Butte, Montana. There they lived for many years, raised their children, and enjoyed life before retiring and eventually moved to Helena to be close to family. He served in many church positions including a genealogical mission with Norma. He was a very giving and loving person. Vic enjoyed camping, fishing, tinkering with projects, dancing and above all singing. He always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
Victor is survived by his wife Norma of 76 years; son, Steve (Melanie) Heinitz of Helena; daughter, Jennifer (Beau) Opie of East Helena; sister Susanna Dodge of Salt Lake City; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 1260 Otter Rd. in Helena. A second ceremony for extended family and friends will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday February 3, 2024 from Wood Funeral Home; 963 S. Ammon Road, Ammon, Idaho. Interment with military honors will follow at Ammon Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday February 1, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday February 2, 2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately follow the funeral service
Friday February 2, 2024
Fellowship Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday February 1, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday February 2, 2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately follow the funeral service
Friday February 2, 2024
Fellowship Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1260 Otter Road
Helena, Montana
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Mary Westover says
Sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you all.
Lilyane Moulton says
I don’t know your family but I was touched by reading Vic’s obituary. I am a Western Airlines retiree from San Francisco, also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and received the information via the DL retirees’ chapter in Salt Lake City. What a great, rich, and full life Vic had -100 years young!! My thoughts and prayers are with you Norma and your family. Sincerely.
L. Moulton
Denise Feller says
It was always so neat to see your dad and mom walking hand in hand here in East Helena. They would always stop and visit!! I will really miss those walks and visits.
Blair and Norma Ricks says
We have so many choice memories, especially when we all lived in Butte. Always enjoyed Vic’s welcoming smile and sincere love. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Norma, and your family.
Nancy D Marks says
I worked with Vic when I was a travel agent in Butte in the 1970’s. Always enjoyed his visits to the office and took his fatherly advice to heart.
He was a happy man and obviously deserved to live long life. Good for him, Good for his loved ones.
PS: My last name was Foote at the time I knew him.
Becky Warner says
Vic was a wonderful man. I loved to hear him sing. He and my dad were such good friends. I smile when I think of the fun they must be having in Heaven together. My sympathy is with his family, whom he loved very much.