Heinz Heistermann was born August 12, 1937 in Rottenburg/Wumme, Germany. He grew up during World War II, he had two brothers and one sister. From a young age his dream was to come to America. When he was 18, he sailed by banana boat to the United States. It was a very stormy ride but he did not get seasick, instead he was able to enjoy the food others could not eat. After his arrival, he began working as a dishwasher at a soda fountain in Brooklyn, New York. After a time he began working as a journeyman painter, a trade he had learned in Germany. The US Army drafted him into the Army in 1957. That is where he met his best and lifelong friend, Hermann Hasken. During his time of service in the Army, he was sent to Germany where he met his bride, Renate Heistermann, the girl living next door to his parents. She followed him to America and they were married on February 13, 1960. In 1968 Heinz, with the help of his uncle, was able to purchase a delicatessen, and Heinz Deli was born. In 1976, Jesus appeared to Heinz in a vision for three nights and said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” He was awake and frozen to the bed, he knew it was Jesus. He had struggled with not being good enough for many years. But on the Sunday night following the visions, he ran to the altar. He then said to the Lord, Here I am, what do you want me to do. This led him to sell his deli and move to Springfield Missouri to attend Central Bible College to prepare for life of ministry at the age of 41. He dreamed that he would be a missionary to a mountainous area, with many children and driving a red jeep. There were many that told him that he and his wife were too old to become missionaries but the dream became a reality and they began service as missionaries in Mexico, a mountainous region with many children and a red jeep. Heinz and Renate served on the mission field for over 20 years and pioneered seven different church plants, the final churches being planted back in his birth county of Germany. Even after retirement, Heinz took every opportunity to share the gospel and minister to others. He and his wife opened their home to many people including international students studying at MSU. He lived a very full life serving the Lord and loving his family.
Heinz is survived by his wife, Renata, daughter, Rita Henderson, son, Ralph Heistermann and wife Sandi, three grandchildren, Katy Kampbell and husband Harold, Lindsey Heistermann and Alexander Heistermann. Two great granddaughters, Mercy Kampbell and Amea Espinosa, one great grandson Dean Henderson- Espinosa. His brother Hugo Heistermann and wife Gerda, brother, Hermann Heistermann and wife Inge, and sister Irmgard Maschke and husband Siegfried, sister-in-law Annegret Fuhrman, several beloved nieces and nephews and the many that called him Opa.. He was preceded in death, by an infant son, Roy, and his grandson Lee Henderson.

Visitation will be on Sunday, August 13, 2017, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Funeral services will be on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 11:30 am in the funeral home with burial following at the VA Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Assembly of God World Missions in memory of Heinz Heistermann (giving.ag.org Account # 296550).