Harlow J Heintz

We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Lodi

Mary and other family of Harlow, Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. You and Harlow are being remembered in my Masses and other prayers. Fr. Ray Dischler

Our sympathy to Mary and family. Harlow was a great guy and loved his farm life. Always enjoyed our visits with him. Rest in Peace. Love to all

Mary and family, please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time of life. Lora and Alan Broadhurst

I learned this past weekend that our friend and classmate, Harlow Heintz has passed. I first got to know Harlow in seventh grade when he played on the team from Dekorra in our four-team intramural basketball league. I remember him as a tall, gangly, and serious young man whose arm span seemed to reach from sideline-to-sideline. On Friday nights, Harlow, Tom, and I would meet at the high school gym to watch the ‘B’ Team and ‘A’ team games. We would start out the night seated on the visitor’s side of the gym, usually a short distance from the mid-court line toward the stage, a little more than halfway up to the top row of the bleachers. When the buzzer signaled the end of the ‘B’ game, the three of us made our way to the foot of the stage and across the width of the newly constructed Poynette High School gym. The pep band played up-beat songs intended to help the players and spectators enjoy a high level of enthusiasm. The band’s play list was made up of an assortment of songs from area schools, and a few college fight songs, including, of course, our state song, “On Wisconsin.” As the band prepared to play the school song of the visiting team and our own “PHS Loyalty,” we would pause our trek to the cafeteria. Standing respectfully at the foot of the stage, we listened while the high school band played the visiting school’s anthem, and then we sang along to the familiar, nostalgic strains of “PHS Loyalty,” our school song. The closing bars of jour Alma Mater—”as time surely lengthens, our loyalty strengthens, we’re loyal to you Poynette High”—morphed into our signature school yell— “YOU, RAH, RAH, POYNETTE, HIGH SCHOOL; YOU, RAH, RAH, POYNETTE, HIGH SCHOOL; YOU, RAH, RAH, POYNETTE HIGH SCHOOL; YEA!” When the cheer faded, we continued to the cafeteria, bought our drink and popcorn, and returned to the gym to take our “A Team” game seats on the home-team side. We sat as close to the mid-court line as we could get; again, a little more than half way up to the top. Our intermission timing perfected throughout the first season; We settled into our seats, a slight pause as we quickly checked to see if there were any girls from our class nearby, then, a solemn drum roll signaled the start of Our National Anthem. Well conditioned by the band’s introduction, we fans rose from our seats as one well rehearsed unit. It was time to come to attention and sing along with the band. At one game, I got carried away and sang with uncharacteristic gusto. I must have sounded ok, because one girl from our class, an outstanding musician who was seated in the row ahead of us, turned and looked up at me with no humor in her eyes. In an honest and sincere voice, she asked directly, “Earl Schliesman, why aren’t you in the chorus?” I had no reply. Harlow and Tom were both strong, hard working farm boys; and both were much better basketball players than I was. Yet, we had in common, a love of sports, a compatible sense of humor, and an eager anticipation of being Poynette High School students. Indeed, our weekly outings continued well into high school. We cheered hard for our home team; sometimes we won, sometimes we lost. Either way, we did our best, as we knew our players did, and we enjoyed each other’s company along the way. Throughout those tumultuous days in the late 1960’s, the war in Vietnam called far too many of America’s finest young women and men. Harlow’s brother, Ralph was one who answered that call. In his brother’s absence, Harlow stepped in and helped with the chores at home. I don’t know if Harlow wanted to play football on our team, or not. He saw his duty to his family, and did as Ralph had, he answered the call. Harlow stayed home and helped his family. When Ralph returned home; Harlow reported for practice. Even though he was behind in the basic fundamentals of a complex sport; Harlow gave us his best effort, played a major role in our championship season, and helped us beat Waunakee High School for the first time in many years. Harlow was a good guy, and I was honored to be his friend. And what an honor it was to be invited to celebrate his eighteenth birthday on October 12 of our senior year! --