Kenneth Heindel

Kenneth Arlington Heindel, died peacefully at home on February 8, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Ken was born in Red Lion, PA on May 27, 1920 to Helen Boll and Warren Heindel.

Ken attended Red Lion High School, Lenoir Rhyme College in Hickory, North Carolina and Woodrow Wilson College of Law, Atlanta, GA.  He served in the Air Force (AAF), Army 33rd Infantry Division during WWII.

With his love of flying, Ken took a job as Airport Traffic Control Specialist (FAA-1942-1956).

In 1956, Ken moved to Jacksonville, FL and in 1960, he took a job with State Farm Insurance Company as an Attorney Negotiator (a position he loved); later retiring in 1999 at the age of 79. When Ken retired from State Farm in 1999, his boss wrote in the Southern Breeze, August 1999, that General McArthur once said, “Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away. Ken Heindel doesn’t subscribe to this philosophy; however, Ken like the energizer bunny, just keeps going and going. Ken has been dazzling us with his footwork for almost 40 years. From the beginning it became obvious Ken’s unique prosperity for the unpredictable would be his standard for us to admire. His knowing smile, his way of catching one off guard, his matchless wit and subtle humor aided him well in excelling as our attorney negotiator for so many years.”

Ken loved life. He told stories, having his private pilot license since May 1943, of making many fun trips with friends to New York to see the great Jazz artist of his day. Ken’s love of music guided him to master the guitar and trumpet.

When Ken moved to Jacksonville, with all the beautiful waterways, he became interested in boating and became Fleet Commander of San Jose Yacht Club in 1962. He loved the many trips down Intercoastal to Miami.  He loved new experiences and was eager to plan new trips with Betty.

Ken is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Betty S. Heindel, six children; Lynn Weinstein, Phyllis Heindel, Kimberly Ricketts, Brian Kelly, Karen Kelly, and Barry Kelly and many wonderful grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be sorely missed!

With all his accomplishments, Ken would count it all naught if you do not know Jesus Christ as Savior. I am certain that Ken would count this final trip to his new heavenly home the ultimate!

A celebration of Ken’s life will be Saturday, February 17th, 11:00 a.m. at Redeemer Church, 190 S. Roscoe Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Redeemer Church for “Special Nations Ministry” for special needs children.