Ernest J. Heinmuller

Ernest Jean Heinmuller of Easton, MD, son of Ernest Richard and Angeline Magne Heinmuller, passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2015. Born on February 25, 1921, in Baltimore, Mr. Heinmuller moved to Easton in 1926 and began school in the building that is now the Academy of the Arts. He graduated from Easton High School in 1938 and graduated from St. Johns College, Annapolis, in 1942, as a member of the first class to complete the Great Books curriculum. In 1943, Ernie married Donna Hoyt, his high school sweetheart. Discharged from the Navy as an Ensign for medical reasons, he then applied for a second commission as Ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard and was assigned to the CGC 329, an 83 footer, as Commanding Officer. He served in three theaters of WWII as a submarine hunter off the US coast, troop rescue in the English Channel during the invasion of Normandy, and other assignments in the South Pacific. His ship was awarded the Coast Guard Outstanding Service medal with star and the Defense medal with star. At the end of WWII, Ernie and his wife returned to Easton. He opened an office for Monroe Systems for Business (Div. of Litton Ind,) and was its manager and head of sales for the next 28 years. In addition to this work, Mr. Heinmuller was active in the community and his church. He served as a Board Member of the Delmarva Boy Scouts, coach of the first Rotary Little League baseball team, and he was one of the founders of the Talbot County Youth Football Program. Ernie was a board member and treasurer of Bethany House. In 1976, he chaired the Easton Bicentennial Celebration and organized a parade and numerous lectures that spanned the complete year. This activity led to his interest in local government, and he ran for and won a seat on the Easton Town Council. He served three terms as councilperson of the Fourth Ward. During those terms he served as a board member liaison to the Easton Volunteer Fire Department and as the Easton Council representative to the Neighborhood Service Center. He then served as President of the Neighborhood Service Center for two years. Through 2009-2011, he served as a non-resident member of the Londonderry Board of Directors. In 2009, he was appointed, by the County Council, to the Commission to Study Recycling. Also Mr. Heinmuller was a life-member of the Easton Elks Lodge. During his many years at Christ Episcopal Church in Easton, Ernie served as a vestryman six times and was chairman of fundraising for the rebuilding of the Parish Hall and Day School after the fire of 1954. He and his wife were very active as teachers in the church’s Christian Education programs. In 2006, Ernie was commissioned by the church as a St. Stephen’s Minister. He served in this outreach program until 2014. Mr. Heinmuller was a published writer of poetry. He enjoyed painting in oils and won prizes in juried art shows. Ernie was a member of the Academy of the Arts and studied under Betty Ruhl and Jim Plumm. Mr. Heinmuller is survived by his son, H. Hoyt Heinmuller and wife Linda of Alamo, TX; his daughter Jodie Peirce and husband Jeff of Chapel Hill, NC; four granddaughters Dee Heinmuller, Lynn Heinmuller Fisher, Shayn Peirce Cottler, and Leyf Peirce Starling. Ernie has eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Heinmuller was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Hoyt Heinmuller, who died in died in 1990, and his daughter, Frances Dee Heinmuller, who died in 1954. A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2015, from 6-8 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 200 S. Harrison St., Easton. Services will be held Friday, December 11, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. at Christ Church in Easton, 111 S. Harrison St., Easton. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Neighborhood Service Center, 126 Port Street, Easton, or Saint Stephen’s Ministry at Christ Church – Easton.

Ernest J. Heinmuller

February 25, 1921 - December 5, 2015