Joan Heintz

Joan Mildred Smith was born March 29, 1929 in Prosser, Washington, the daughter of Mildred A. Smith and Cassius A. Smith. At age two Joan’s father left for South Dakota to find work in the gold mines and never returned. Her mother found work in Bickleton as a barber and later in Yakima in a cannery. Joan lived with her grandparents, Clara A. and Milton A. Thayer in Bickleton until they moved to Prosser and in 1937 Mildred married Lyle Radcliffe. Joan attended first grade in Bickleton, Washington and when the family moved to Prosser, she attended the Prosser schools and graduated in May 1947. Joan was elected Treasurer in her senior year and was involved in most events at the school, including various clubs and dramatics. In September of 1946 Joan was chosen 1946 States Day Queen and later chosen as Grape Festival Queen in Kennewick to rule over a three-day event. A breakfast was held for Gov. Mon C. Walgren and she was guest of honor and presented a ruby and opal dinner ring by the late legislator Al Henry at the Prosser Commercial Club luncheon, a gift of Kennewick merchants. The Prosser Commercial Club presented her with a set of luggage. Joan was on stage with the big bands including Les Brown and his band of renown and also Spike Jones’ band. Joan married Leo Heintz on April 22, 1950 and celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2010. Joan served as district secretary to the superintendent of schools from 1947-1960, taking time out for the birth of her daughter Sharon Ann Heintz. She retired from the school district in 1960 when her son, Rick Heintz was born. In 1988 Joan began working for the Benton County Commissioners and retired at age 69. She was given a retirement party at which 90 county employees were present, a party she never forgot. Joan also served on the Prosser City Council from 1993 to 2005. Joan loved doing crafts with her daughter and also enjoyed embroidering and knitting. She also loved doing yard work until her health failed. In 19996 Leo and Joan sold their home in Prosser, bought a triple wide manufactured home and moved out to Wine County Villa, a mobile home park within the city limits of Prosser. In 2012 Leo and Joan moved into an assisted living facility. Leo passed away on August 15, 2012. Joan lived with her son Rick and his wife Kathy from 2014 until her death on February 17, 2016. A Memorial Mass will be 11:00 am, Saturday, March 5th, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1905 Highland Drive, Prosser, WA 99350). To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joan Heintz, please visit our flower store.