MILESTONES: Longtime Merritt Island Residents Bill and MaryLou Heink to Celebrate 60th Anniversary on Aug. 25

Couple moved to Merritt Island in 1964, Bill went to work at Kennedy Space Center, while MaryLou began volunteering around the community

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA • CELEBRATIONS – Bill and MaryLou Heink were married August 25, 1963 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and are preparing to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

MaryLou told Bill that that she wanted 12 children, and he married her any way.

Bill worked for Convair in California, however he chose to relocate to Merritt Island, Florida in 1964 and went to work at the Kennedy Space Center, while MaryLou began volunteering around the community.

In June of 1965, the birth of Karl, their first child, started their family. In July of 1967 and November of 1969, Jobie and Leta came along, respectively, finishing their family, or so they thought.

Fast forward to 1982 and the first of the eight European sons and daughters joined the family: Niclas in 81-82, Neeltje in 83-84, Hans in 84-85 – who brother Lars was an exchange student in Mississippi in 81-82, best friend of Niclas and became like another one of their children.

Karin came in 85-86, Michael and Gonzalo in 86-87, with the final student, Thomas, Michael’s brother, in 89-90.

Bill retired in 2000 rounding out an amazing career in the aerospace industry, but MaryLou’s career as a mom has not ended.

A true blessing came, in 2013 for their 50th wedding anniversary, where 10 of their 11 kids, and with families, Lars included, were in attendance. Now, there have been multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren to round out the picture.

With the arrival of 2023, they are now celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, and have set a phenomenal example of marriage for all of their kids. MaryLou is aiming for a 75th anniversary, despite Bill’s crazy sense of humor, so we wish them nothing but the best for many more.

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