Joel Allen Heintzelman
Joel Allen Heintzelman, age 77, or Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away, December 4, 2025, surrounded by his family and friends. Joel was born January 13, 1948, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the son of Keith and Vina Heintzelman.
A graduate of Eaton Rapids High School, Joel met and married the love of his life, Gay Peters. He was a Vietnam Veteran serving proudly in the United States Navy. After his service to his country, Joe and Gay moved back to Eaton Rapids to raise their family. Joe retired from General Motors after 34 years of service. He and his wife purchased a cottage at Duck Lake and were members of the Duck Lake Country Club for 35 years. Joe and his family spent many memorable years at Duck Lake creating memories for several generations of his family. An avid sportsman, Joe loved to hunt deer, turkey, small game and fish the lakes and streams of Michigan. He spent 14 years going to Canada for fly in fishing trips with his son and friends. The memories of these trips were never forgotten. His life was full of great memories, fantastic friends and loving family. The most important thing in his life was his family. The love and support he gave his family will never be forgotten. If you were a part of his family and friend group, he would do absolutely anything for you with no questions asked.
Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gay Ann Peters; his love for her never faded; mother and father, Keith and Vina Heintzelman; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Marilyn Peters; nephew, Jeff Heintzelman and half-brother, Doug Martin.
He is survived by his loving children, Craig (Debra Parsons) Heintzelman and Wendy (Scott) Whipple; brother, Keith (Bonnie) Heintzelman; grandchildren, Lilly (DaCoda) Whalen, Carly (Nick Schillerstrom) Whipple and Rachel Heintzelman; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Michael (Julie Reddy) Peters, Carol Peters, Steven (Teresa) Peters and Irene (Greg) Meyers; nephews, Eric (Nicole) Heintzelman, Troy (Kristi) Heintzelman, Edgerton (Monica) Peters, Calach (Lindsay) Peters, Andy Peters and Christopher Peters. Also surviving are many close friends and extended family.
Funeral services were held on Monday, December 8, 2025, 11 a.m. at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids, MI, with Chaplain Steve Ezop officiating. Interment will follow at Brickyard Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. The family received relatives and friends, Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 2-5 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Foundation or Huron Humane Society in memory of Joe.