Obituary of Mary Edith Heinl

Mary Edith Kruse was born on June 28, 1931, in Monroe, Michigan. She was one of six children born to the union of Herman and Elizabeth (Rasp) Kruse. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dundee, Michigan. Mary attended Dundee High School, graduating with the class of 1949.  

On November 5, 1949, in her parents’ home, Mary was joined in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Heinl by the Reverend Fred Casler.  The couple often told their love story of how they met at the sandbox in kindergarten. They began dating their sophomore year in high school and celebrated nearly sixty-five years of marriage before Bob’s passing in 2014.  Mary and Bob were blessed with a son and two daughters. For many years she enjoyed making her home on the hill on Oak Street where she was surrounded by many of her siblings and family.

Mary worked in the steno-pool at Edwards Brothers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and worked as a teller and head bookkeeper for the Monroe County Bank in Dundee. She retired in June of 1993 after twenty years as the office manager and bookkeeper for Dundee Products Company.  Mary enjoyed reading, surfing the internet, shopping at Costco, and working crossword puzzles but nothing gave her more joy than spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary Edith Heinl, age 92 of Dundee passed away on Monday; November 27, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family and under the care of the Heartland Hospice.  Her passing was preceded by her parents: Herman and Elizabeth Kruse; her husband: Robert “Bob” Heinl on May 1, 2014; a son in infancy: Michael; a grandson: Jonathan Dushane; a brother: William Kruse; and a sister: Patsy Zieske.

To cherish Mary’s memory, she leaves two daughters: Patricia Gaston of Dundee, Michigan and Jeri (Michael) Dushane of Monroe, Michigan; a sister: Sandy (Charles) Benore; two brothers; Fred (Suzanne) Kruse of Adrian, Michigan and Herman (Donna) Kruse of Dundee; a sister-in-law: Sharon Kruse of Dundee; six grandchildren: Dougie, Aaron (Karly), Josh (Liz) and Caleb Gaston, and Adam (Sarah) Dushane and Claire Dushane; four great grandchildren: Liam, Zoe, Lilly, and Abigail Gaston; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather from 11:00am until 1:00pm on Saturday; December 16, 2023, at Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. A Celebration of Mary’s life will be held at 1:00pm also at Merkle’s, with her nephew Pastor Fritz Kruse of the North Rome Baptist Church in Onsted, Michigan officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary’s honor are suggested to the Heartland Hospice (formerly ProMedica Hospice). Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.