Francis Heinrich Obituary

Francis " Frank " Warren Heinrich, a devoted family man, World War II veteran, and pillar of his faith community, passed away on June 19, 2025, in Gridley, California, just one day before his 103rd birthday. Born on June 20, 1922, in Live Oak, California, Frank was the beloved son of Francis Richard Heinrich and Catherine Agnes Foss. As the ninth of eleven children, Frank grew up during the Great Depression on his family's farm in Live Oak, alongside his sisters and brothers- Gertrude, Catherine, Clara, Richard, Edward, Walter (Brother Nicholas of the Franciscan order), Charles, William, Robert, and Harold, all of whom pre-deceased him. He began his education at the Hedger School, a one-room schoolhouse, before graduating from Live Oak Elementary and attending Live Oak High School. Frank then spent three years at St. Joseph's College, a Catholic seminary in Mountain View, California, where he completed high school and began college. In October 1942, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving until March 1946. He volunteered for sea duty on the USS General William M. Black, a US Navy troop transport ship. His naval service took him across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. After the war ,
Frank worked for the Metropolitan Life and New York Life insurance companies in San Francisco, where he met and married Irene
Josephine Hanratty. They wed at St. Paul's Church in San Francisco in 1953, moved to Gridley, and shared a loving marriage until
Irene's passing in 2022. He was well-known in Gridley and throughout California's agricultural communities for the work he did during his over twenty-five years of service for Kilby Manufacturing. Frank was a devoted father to Stephen, Daniel (Ruthann), and Christine Heinrich. He was a cherished grandfather to Danielle Mays (Don), Melissa Momboisse (Rick), Michael and Allison Upton, and a proud great-grandfather to Charlotte and Elliott Mays. He was also an uncle to 40 nieces and nephews. A man of deep Catholic faith, Frank served Sacred Heart Parish in Gridley in numerous capacities, was a long-standing member of the Knights of Columbus, and, earlier in life, was a member of the Catholic Young Men's Institute. He was an active member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Gridley chapter, for over 40 years where he enjoyed fellowship with friends and family. Frank found joy in hunting, fishing, golfing, and traveling with Irene. His life was characterized by service, faith, and love for his family and community. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by those who knew him. Visitation and rosary will take place On Monday, July 7 from 4-8 pm, with a rosary beginning at 7:00 pm at Gridley Block Funeral Home. Funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, July 8th at 10:00 am preceded by a rosary at 9:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church followed by burial at Live Oak Cemetery. Following interment, a celebration of Frank's life will be held at the Gridley Loyal Order of Moose Lodge. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or a veterans' organization of your choice.