Werner Heinrichs died Dec. 14, 2011. He was born July 9, 1935 in Santa Catarina, Brazil to David and Maria Heinrichs, who emigrated from Russia in 1929. They modelled a strong faith and work ethic. Werner accepted Jesus as Saviour at 14 and was baptized in the Colonia Nova River. He never swayed, keeping faith till the end. Werner worked on farms, and later purchased a dairy farm. He met Edith at his brother’s place, and within a year, they married. To make ends meet, Werner also did long-distance trucking for the co-op. Before immigrating to Canada in 1975, he volunteered full-time for 3 months to help build the colony’s church. In Canada, Werner and Edith joined Virgil (Ont.) MB Church. Werner worked on a fruit farm, then at C&C Yachts, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., and later as a janitor, but he did not let work define him; he always put his family first. He loved camping where he could fish, relax, and drink his mate, but his greatest passion was his grandchildren. He was a playmate and positive role model. Werner was a man of few words who was always good for advice. He lived by Scripture. He attended Orchard Park Bible (MB) Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Werner is mourned by Edith; children Monika (Dave) Loewen, John (Donna), Rob (Nora); 7 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 4 siblings.
