Rev. Deborah A. Heino
NEGAUNEE, MI – Rev. Deborah A. Heino, age 68, of 142 S. Basin Dr., Negaunee, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville, GA.
Deb was born in Detroit, MI, on January 9, 1955, a daughter of Johnnie Sphinx and the late Shirley Sphinx. She served in the U.S. Navy as an Officer and then the U.S. Air Force totaling over 15 years in the armed services of the United States.
Deb then began her study of Theology and was ordained by the American Baptist Church, later receiving her Doctorate in Theology. Deb did Campus Ministry for 20 years, starting out of the First Baptist Church in Marquette, which turned into Relevant Campus Ministry where she was affectionately known as Mamma “D” to NMU students. Rev. Deb also served the Covenant Church and Presbyterian Church in Ishpeming. Deb was currently a member of Crossroads Christian Fellowship. Deb was always seeking to serve God and in recent years was influential in raising money to help bring a family here from war torn Ukraine, whom are now living in Marquette Co.
Survivors include her husband of 30 years, Jon Heino of Negaunee, five daughters, Joni Heino of Negaunee, Charity (Ron) Carter of Whigham, GA, Heidi (Justin) Curtis of Crystal Falls, Carolyn Schafer of Fort Worth, TX, Stephanie (David) Ahonen of Iron Mountain, two sons, Billy Kittle of Big Bay and Paul (Natasha) Langner of Lorraine, OH, brother, David Sphinx of Mayfield, KY, along with numerous grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, a sister and 3 brothers, two of whom died in Vietnam, and the other in the first Gulf War.
Deb’s family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming, where a memorial service will be held at 2:00PM with Andy Liimatta officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Upaws, 815 South State Highway M53, Gwinn, MI 49841or at Upaws.org or to Crossroads Christian Fellowship, c/o Jeff Wenstrand, 200 Station Rd., Gwinn, MI 49841.
Deb’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.