Mark S. Heinz

Mark S. Heinz, 70, of Ackley, passed away Monday, March 3, 2025 at Grand JiVante in Ackley. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday, March 10, 2025 at the St. John's United Church of Christ in Ackley. Mark will be laid to rest at the Oakwood Cemetery in Ackley. Visitation will be held from 2-4 PM on Sunday, March 9th at the church. Woodley Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is caring for Mark and his family.
Mark Steven Heinz was born on July 7, 1954 to Harold and Mary Jane (Harrington) Heinz in lowa Falls, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm where he learned the value of hard work, family and the love of farming. Mark attended Ackley-Geneva Schools and was a proud member of the Class of 1973. He continued his education at Hawkeye Community College. Mark left the farm for a time to work on the wheat harvest throughout the western United States and returned to the farm to continue his 50-year career farming land in Hardin, Franklin and Audubon counties.
Mark met PJ at the lowa State Fair in August of 1989. They dated for three weeks before being engaged, and married on December 23, 1989 in Des Moines. Mark supported PJ's career and happily "voluntold" her for many school events and projects. Twin daughters, Madison and Meghan joined them in 1995 making their family complete.
Mark's perfect day started with his coffee buddies and ended at the farm. Mark loved the farm and everything about it. He bought his first tractor, a John Deere 4430 at the age of 18. He enjoyed auctions, machinery lots and junkyards as he could always find a project. He loved all aspects of agriculture and traveling to different regions to see the crops raised and the type of machinery used. He loved a good bargain and was a frequent visitor to the bargain bin and scratch and dent showrooms. Mark thought every kid needed a toy tractor, and he especially enjoyed spoiling his nieces and nephews and their children. He generously donated to his church and community.
After his diagnosis of glioblastoma of 2022, Mark was determined to live life to the fullest and made memories through travel and cherished time with family and friends. His greatest joy was the birth of his two grandchildren, Wyatt and Avery who adored their "Papa".
Mark Heinz is survived by his wife, PJ of 35 years; his daughters, Madison Sawyer (Austin Sawyer) and Meghan Heinz (Chad Mennenga); grandchildren, Wyatt and Avery Sawyer; siblings, Tom (Brenda) Heinz, Judy (Rolland) Crawford; mother in-law, Prudy Campbell; sister in-law, KC Rottinghaus (Bob Russell); a foreign exchange student brother, Mike (Velia) O'Hare of Australia; beloved cousins and his precious nephews and nieces and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mary Jane Heinz; his brother, Bobby Heinz and father in-law, Robert Campbell.
The family thanks the staff at Grand Jivante, Cedar Valley Hospice, Holden Cancer Center, MercyOne Cancer Center, MercyOne Rehabilitation and the Ackley Medical Center for their kindness, care and support. Memorials received by the family will be used to support community projects.