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Submitted: 6/12/23 • Approved: 6/13/23 • Last Updated: 6/16/23 • R430275-G0-S3
SERGEANT US Marine Corps
Vietnam
December 1, 1948 - March 28, 2018
Opelousas - A Mass of Christian Burial for Earl F. "Coach" Heintz will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, April 2, 2018 at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church. The Very Reverend Monsignor Keith J. DeRouen will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery in Lafayette. Visitation will be held at LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home in Opelousas on Sunday, April 1, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM on Sunday evening by Deacon Jerome Collins. The funeral home will reopen on Monday, April 2, 2018, at 8:00 AM until 12:30 PM.
Mr. Heintz, age 69, passed away on March 28, 2018 at Senior Village Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.
Coach was born in New Orleans on December 1, 1948. He was in the first graduation class at Rummel High School, served four years in the United States Marine Corps attaining the rank of Sergeant, and graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in Health and Physical Education in 1975. He began his teaching and coaching career at Opelousas Catholic where he was part of the 1974 state championship football squad. After leaving OC, he taught and coached football, basketball, track, and softball at St. Maria Goretti in Lake Arthur, Ascension Catholic, Abbeville HIgh, Gueydan High, Vermilion Catholic, Sacred Heart of Ville Platte, Central Catholic, Teurlings Catholic, Bunkie and Beau Chene before finding his home at Port Barre High School. At Port Barre he was part of another state championship football team. As the head track coach at Port Barre he guided the Red Devils to 14 district titles in 15 years, 12 regional titles, and three state championships. He received Coach of the Year honors from the Louisiana Track Coaches' Association and was named Acadiana Coach of the Year by the Lafayette Daily Advertiser on several occasions, and was nationally certified by the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association. While at Port Barre, every student who graduated was a member of his Algebra II, Algebra I, or Financial Math class.
He was an active parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and a devoted member of the Adoration Chapel prior to his illness.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, the former Martha (Marty) Callahan of Opelousas; a son, Joseph C. Heintz and daughter-in-law Melanie Prudhomme Heintz of Lafayette; a daughter, Kathleen Pool and son-in-law Michael E. Pool of Lafayette; four grandchildren: Elizabeth, Michael, and Andrew Heintz and William Pool, all of Lafayette; two brothers: Charles H. Heintz, Jr. of Gretna, and Edward M. Heintz of Stonewall, LA; and a sister, Mary C. Pauratore of Covington.
He was predeceased by his parents, Charles H. Heintz Sr. and Margaret Westwater Heintz and a brother, Robert Heintz, all of New Orleans.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Callahan, Danny Callahan, Michael Heintz, Andrew Heintz, Joe Heintz and Eddie Heintz.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Coach's name to the Opelousas Catholic Tuition Assistance Fund.
LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570 (337-942-2638) has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Contributed on 6/12/23 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 430275