Daniel "Dan" Heinonen

Daniel “Dan” Heinonen, age 67, of Trenary, died Sunday morning, October 6, 2024 at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette following a two year illness. He was born on February 22, 1957 in Newberry, Michigan, the oldest child of the late Thomas and Audrey (Daavettila) Heinonen. Daniel and his siblings were raised in a family that encouraged education, acceptance, and creativity. He went to school in Marquette prior to the family moving to Trenary in 1971 and graduated from Trenary High School in 1975. Daniel enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps on July 18, 1975 and went to Parris Island, NC for boot camp and on to Camp LeJeune, NC for additional training. He was stationed in Okinawa and came home to marry his high school sweetheart Kelly Cady in February 1976. Dan and Kelly began their family in Twentynine Palms, California where he was discharged in 1978. Following his discharge they returned home to Trenary and together raised their two sons. Dan was a visionary and talented carpenter who built their home, was a gifted artist, enjoyed gardening, and loved playing the guitar. To those that knew him, he was well read and had insightful comments on many topics. His brother Andrew had these words for Dan: “You were beautiful in life, dear brother. Your creative eye and expansive intellect spoke well to the beauty and freedom of this world. Go with Grace and of our love.”

 Dan is survived by his son Justin Heinonen, brothers David (Maureen), John (Tricia), Kenneth, and Andrew Heinonen and sister Kathleen Heinonen, daughter-in-law Dena, nephews Mark, Karl, and Joseph, nieces Hannah and Emma, and grandchildren Jack, Ben and Ailie. Dan is also survived by his aunts Helen Pietila, Ruth Davison, Susie (Paul) Wittenberg, Carol Ryynanen, and Mary (John) Hannus; and numerous cousins. He is also missed by his extended family of brothers and sisters-in-law – Cheryl (Dennis) Stanek, Greg (Doris) Cady, Curtis Cady, Ty (Mercy) Cady, and Joan (Rick) Hendrickson and numerous nieces and nephews on the Cady side of the family. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Audrey Heinonen, his son Dylan, and his wife of forty-eight years, Kelly, who died on May 30, 2024. 

 Visiting time with family and friends will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Alger County Veterans Honor Guard will render military honors at 6:00 p.m.