Obituary of Linda R. Heinike

CANASTOTA . . . Linda R. Heinike, 79, of Canastota, passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2023, while celebrating 30 years of marriage in Strasbourg, France. Her death was sudden but peaceful. She was born on December 22, 1943, in Poughkeepsie, the daughter of Kenneth and Louise (Pehl) Millard. Linda spent her early years in Poughkeepsie, graduating from Poughkeepsie High School in 1961. She, later, graduated from Buffalo State University with a Master's Degree in Education, and the University of Buffalo with a Master's Degree in Special Education. Linda had also worked toward her Phd. She lived in the Buffalo area for fifty-five years, moving to Canastota six years ago. She was a Special Education teacher at the Niagara-Orleans BOCES in Medina, NY for twenty-nine years, retiring in 1997 to become a mother to an adopted child. Linda was an avid reader, who loved music, gardening, bird watching, interacting with and encouraging people, and spending time with her family. She was a member of New Beginnings Community Church, where her husband, John, is a pastor. Linda was a woman of deep faith, and felt that one of her purposes in life was to be a pastor's wife and she did that with excellence. She married John C. Heinike on June 27, 1993, in Williamsville, NY. Surviving besides her husband, John, are: one daughter and son-in-law, Lara and Christian Seniw of Buffalo; one son and daughter-in-law, James and Gabby Heinike of Elbridge; and two foster-sons, Tshike David of Sylvan Beach, and Patrick David of Syracuse; as well as John's step-mother, Patricia Heinike of Hamburg; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Laura and Harry Stryffeler of Sanford, NC, and Kelly and Donald Rupp of Buffalo; and several nieces and nephews. Linda was predeceased by one brother, Kenneth Millard. A Celebration of her Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at New Beginnings Community Church, 227 Genesee Street, Wampsville. Pastor Randy Phillips will officiate, assisted by Pastor Larry Chamberlin. Interment will be held later in Woodlawn Cemetery, Orchard Park, NY. In her memory, contributions may be made to New Beginnings Community Church, PO Box 30, Wampsville, NY 13163.