Philip James Heineman

July 5, 1951 — September 13, 2026

Philip James Heineman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, September 13, after several years of declining health.

Phil was born on July 5, 1951, in Bluffton, Ohio, to Harry and Adelaide (McGinnis) Heineman. The fourth of ten children, he grew up in Port Clinton, Ohio, where he learned the value of hard work early, helping his father with the family beer distribution business from a young age.

Phil lived a full life centered around faith, family, and friendship. He was an eternal optimist who always looked for the silver lining, no matter what life brought his way.

After converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 25, Phil met Carol Harvie at a church dance. They married and were sealed in the Washington, D.C. Temple on March 16, 1978, beginning a partnership that would span nearly five decades.

Phil and Carol went on to raise five children: Aaron, Benjamin, Alyson, Bethany, and Carah. Phil was a devoted and playful dad who loved spending time with his kids. His children have fond memories of playing together in the pool, Dad pushing them on the swings, and singing his favorite Irish lullabies. These simple, happy moments became some of their favorite memories of growing up with their dad. He carried that same sense of fun into being a grandfather, continuing many of these beloved traditions with his grandchildren and giving them their own treasured memories with Grandpa.

Phil was a salesman at heart. He began his married life working for natural food company Eden Foods, reflecting his devotion to health and clean living. He later took his talents to the Yellow Pages, where he became a top salesman, earning numerous awards, including President’s Club, which took him and Carol on a memorable trip to the Virgin Islands. Phil later partnered with his sister Ida in her company, Singlish, helping children learn English through classic children’s songs. He eventually established his own business, Heineman Schoolhouse Resources, combining his entrepreneurial spirit with his deep love of country by selling patriotic artwork to schools and communities across America.

In his final work chapter, Phil found himself back behind the wheel of a semi-truck, just as he had for his father’s business as a young man, this time with Swift Transportation. Carol joined him as his co-driver, and together they traveled the country as a team.

Throughout his life, Phil called many places home. He spent his earliest years on Put-in-Bay Island before moving to the mainland and growing up in Port Clinton, Ohio. His life later took him to the Detroit area, back to Port Clinton where he bought a home overlooking Lake Erie, and then to Mesa, Arizona. As devoted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Phil and Carol, along with their five kids, eventually settled in Provo, Utah, where they purchased a home surrounded by the beauty of Mount Timpanogos. It remained their home and sanctuary for 29 years, and it was there that Phil peacefully passed away surrounded by his family.

Phil had a gift for befriending nearly everyone he met, including complete strangers, and was always ready with a joke whenever he could find an audience. He loved to discuss history, politics, poetry, and movies. His patriotism ran deep, and he worked to keep the stories of fallen soldiers alive, getting several articles published in newspapers and bringing patriotic artwork into schools.

Phil was also an avid reader and lifelong learner. He particularly enjoyed the wisdom and writings of Latter-day Saint author Sterling W. Sill and poets such as Ella Wheeler Wilcox. His extensive collection of books and DVDs reflected both his endless love of learning and appreciation of classic movies.

Phil enjoyed remarkably good health for most of his life, until an unexpected and life-threatening aortic dissection in 2019 required emergency open-heart surgery. Though he was given a prognosis of approximately two years, Phil defied expectations and lived another seven years. His family considered those additional years a miracle, made possible in no small part by Carol’s devoted love and care and Phil’s unwavering optimism and determination to keep going.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Heineman and Adelaide McGinnis Heineman; his stepmother, Mary Heineman (née Paneff); his brothers, Norman “Norm” Heineman and Bernard “Bernie” Heineman; and his grandson, Daniel Wesley Heineman.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Carol Heineman; his five children, Aaron Heineman, Benjamin (Afton) Heineman, Alyson (Justin) La, Bethany Heineman, and Carah (Aaron) Burrell; and his grandchildren, Jacob Heineman, Autumn (Matt) Buchanan, Lake Burrell, Harrison La, Gwendolyn Burrell, Adrienne “Didi” La, Lucas Heineman, Owen Heineman, and Callahan Burrell.

Phil is also survived by his sisters, Zauzi (Jim) Travis, Monica Heineman, Cecelia (Dale) Farmer, and Ida (John) Larsen; his brothers, Stephen Heineman, Otto (Christine) Heineman, and Thomas Heineman; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

Phil’s stories, humor, positivity, and friendliness will be remembered by all who knew him. Phil made it his mission in life to put a smile on people’s faces.

Burial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 18, at Provo City Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon at 12:00 p.m. at the LDS Ward Pavilion, 4300 N. Canyon Road in Provo. Family and friends are invited to gather, share stories and memories, and celebrate Phil’s life together.

A webcast of the Burial services will be available at https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/862YZH