The Reverend John M. Heinl

The Reverend John M. Heinl died on May 21, 2026 in Kittery Point, ME as a result of complications following a fall. Having recently turned 90 and with a full life behind him, John was ready for the next adventure. Born in Chicago, IL and raised there and in Waukesha, WI, John attended Carroll College in Waukesha and Mission House Theological Seminary in Plymouth, WI. In 1961 he was ordained in the Evangelical and Reformed Church (now part of the United Church of Christ). John served churches in Wisconsin and Minnesota and ended his career as the Director of Development at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, MN, retiring in 1999. In retirement he was a streetcar motorman for the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line in St. Paul, MN and the Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport, ME; he served as a docent at the History Center of Olmsted County Rochester, MN and Museums of Old York, York, ME; and did planned giving consulting for four nonprofits in Maine. Other interests of his were history, especially the Civil War, WW1 and WW2, and all things railroad.

John is survived by his wife, The Reverend Diane L. Harvey, Kittery Point, ME, his children, Janet Heinl, Jeff Heinl,  grandson, Zach Heinl, all in MN, and a whole extended network of beloved family and friends. He was predeceased by his daughter, Joan Heinl Berthiaume.

A memorial service will be held on August 14 at 11am at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, NH and will be live-streamed. A service for the committal of his ashes will be held on October 17 at 11 am in the Memorial Garden at The Congregational Church UCC, Rochester, MN. Should you wish to do so, memorial gifts may be given to the charity of your choice. However, as John enjoyed eating more than almost anything, consider sharing a meal with others in his memory and don’t skip dessert, his favorite part!

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