Otto H. Heimes of Phoenixville
Otto H. Heimes, 84, of Phoenixville, PA passed away peacefully on April 2, 2017 at home surrounded by family. He was diagnosed in September 2016 with Glioblastoma brain cancer. He was the husband of Brigitte S. (Rathenburg) Heimes with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. He was born in Meggen, Germany on November 1, 1932 and was the son of the late Otto and Therese (Schulte) Heimes. While in Germany, following in his father's footsteps, he became a highly skilled machinist.
Being adventurous, in 1959 he moved with his wife and 2 daughters, Andrea and Susanne to Adelaide, Australia, a country which at that time was in need of experienced machinists. A third daughter, Jennifer was born.
In 1966, the family immigrated to the United States where his sons Felix and Lawrence were born. He accepted a position as foreman for Witt Machine Company in King of Prussia. He, his wife and three daughters proudly became US citizens in 1971.
Otto and his business partner, Ferdinand Manz, founded the Manheim Machine Company, in Collegeville, PA in 1969. He operated this business for 35 years until his retirement in 2004. He did prototype work and individualized precision machining for computer and medical companies. He also used his skills as a master machinist to develop some of the first instruments used for arthroscopic surgery.
He played accordion, enjoyed gardening, hunting, and he was very passionate about his Catholic faith and politics. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two brothers, Richard and Edmund Heimes of Meggen, Germany, five children Andrea Mielnik (husband Pete) of Willow Street, Susanne Brown (husband Donald) of West Chester, Jennifer Byrne (husband Richard) of Newark, DE, Felix Heimes (wife Michelle) of Endwell, NY, Lawrence Heimes (wife Michele) of Quakertown, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A Requiem Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul at St. Padre Pio Chapel, 4617 East Lincoln Highway, Parkesburg. There will be visitation at 9 am and Mass at 10 am on Friday, April 7, 2017. Interment will be private at Holy Trinity Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 1943 Craley Road, Windsor, PA 17366 or Mainline Health Hospice, 240 North Radnor Chester Road, Radnor, PA 19087-5174 (484-580-1550).
Arrangements are being handled by Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Homes, Inc.