Harvey J. Heinly, 97

December 01, 2023

Harvey J. Heinly was a quiet man, humble, with many talents that would be revealed bit by bit to those who got to know him. He passed away on December 1, 2023, at the age of 97. He was a lifelong resident of Royersford, PA, until his final years at Landis Homes.

Harvey would say that the best part of his life was his “good family,” and his wife, Anna, was the one he most cherished. When he went with his family as a young man to get eggs, he saw her in the farmhouse kitchen, and she got his attention! Some years later they married and celebrated over 65 years of marriage. He and Anna were members of the Mingo Church of the Brethren and then Parker Ford Church, an important piece of their lives.

In 1944 during WWII, prior to marriage, he enlisted and served in the 63rd Infantry Division, 255th regiment, of the U.S. Army, and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Harvey spent much of his life working with wood as a highly skilled cabinetmaker/millworker. He was employed at Shanaman’s (Phoenixville), Bush Brothers (Royersford), Frederick Brothers (Pottstown), and Hammonds (Collegeville). Outside of work he crafted cabinets and furniture for his family and church, and he also did many of those things a handyman can do!

He built his own two-story workshop, an ice skating rink in the garden and stilts for his children and himself, batches of 50 wooden crosses for Bible School, and so much more. Upon retirement he taught himself how to do chip carving and wood carving. He became adept at carving chains, as if a necklace, from one piece of wood, no glue.

He enjoyed a variety of activities – feeding bluebirds, watching planes, taking photos, playing games with family, traveling, and gardening. His life was interspersed with a sense of humor and teasing, which remained until he passed. “Third drawer!” he would announce to staff and visitors to his room. That is where you would find the chocolate. To one caregiver (in the middle of the night) he said, “Make sure you get chocolate, too. You need some to put up with me.”

Harvey was the son of Harvey G. & Mary (Diehl) Heinly, weighing a few ounces over 3 pounds at birth! Imagine! He did his best to keep up with his older sisters, Doris Heinly and Loraine Smith, both deceased. His wife, Anna A. (Gottshall) Heinly also preceded him in death. He is survived by his children, Janice (James) Gravely, Allen (Diane) Heinly, and Gary (Barbara) Heinly; his grandchildren, Jonathan (Megan), Jared (Kelly), Carl (Leah), and Julie Heinly; and his great-grandchildren, Andrew and Emma.

As a family we greatly appreciate all the love, kindness, and tender care the staff at Landis Homes gave to Harvey during his time as a resident. What a remarkable gift from all of you!

Friends and family will be received from 1–2 p.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023, in the West Bethany Chapel at Landis Homes, 1001 E. Oregon Rd., Lititz, PA 17543. A memorial service will follow beginning at 2 p.m. Interment took place with military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Harvey’s memory to Landis Homes Caring Fund at the address above, or through the following link: https://www.landishomes.org/give/fund-designations/.