The Reverend David A. Heinl, 77, a retired Diocesan priest who served several parishes in the area, died Monday, September 22, 2008, at the Saint Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio. He had resided there for several years.

Father Heinl was born May 1, 1931, in Wapakoneta, Ohio, the son of Anthony and Edith (Wehrle) Heinl.

He is survived by his siblings: Joan Heckman of Minster; Alice Kuehner of Minster; Charles (Rita) Heinl of Maria Stein; Barbara (Dennis) Meyer of Minster; Larrry Heinl of Minster; by 17 nieces and nephews: Mary Kinsella of Piqua; Annette Meyer of Minster; Linda Eddins of Pensacola, Fla; Jeff Heckman of Minster; Angie Niemeyer of Minster; Ted Heckman of Minster; John Heinl of New Carlisle; Mark Heinl of Coldwater; Terri Dicker of Jackson, Michigan; Tim Kuehner of Minster; Mike Kuehner of Minster; Denise Meyer of Wapakoneta; Anthony “Oscar” Meyer of Minster; Greg Meyer of Celina; Nan Stechschulte of Minster; Jackie Olding of Minster; Sue Falk of Minster; by 36 great-nieces and nephews; by 30 great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by two sisters: Hilda Morsey and Mary Angela Heinl; by three brothers-in-law, Irwin Morsey, Robert Heckman and Thomas Kuehner.

Father Heinl attended grade school in Minster; he continued his education at Saint Gregory’s Seminary High School ; Mount Saint Marys Seminary and Xavier University.

Father Heinl was ordained on May 25, 1957 by Archbishop Karl J. Alter and he celebrated his First Solemn Mass on May 26, 1957 at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Minster.

Father Heinl first served as a parish priest at Saint Bernard Catholic Church in Springfield; he then taught Math and served as Vice-Principal at Springfield Catholic Central High School, where he also coached golf. He served as parish priest at Saint Luke’s Catholic Church in Beavercreek and then served as Vice-Principal of Carroll High School in Dayton. He served at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Dayton, served as a chaplain at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton and as a parish priest at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Dayton. He served as parish priest at Saint Remy’s Catholic Church in Russia, Ohio and retired as parish priest at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saint Marys after 15 years of service.

Father Dave was a private pilot and enjoyed taking parishioners for plane rides; he loved playing golf but never excelled; he was a great sports fan, especially fond of his nieces and nephews and their accomplishments and a great fan of the Saint Marys Roughriders.

He will be remembered for his generosity to those less fortunate than he, his sense of humor and his down to earth approach to ministry. He had a great affection for his parishioners and loved being a priest.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, September 26, 2008, at Saint Augustine Catholic Church, Minster, Ohio, Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of Cincinnati, celebrant. Homilist will be Father Edward Shine. Burial will follow at Saint Augustine Cemetery in Minster, Father Rick Nieberding, C.PP. S, offiiciant.

Friends may call from 2-8 P.M. Thursday, September 25, 2008, at the Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys, Ohio, where Father Robert Monnin will lead a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M. Friends may also call from 9:00 A.M.-10:30 A.M. on Friday at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Minster. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Athenaeum of Ohio Seminary, Saint Charles Center, or, Holy Rosary School in Saint Marys.