Joseph John “PaPa” Heizer passed into eternal rest with the Lord on November 10, 2026, at 90 years old. Joseph lived a remarkable and accomplished life. Born in Győr, Hungary, on July 29, 1936, Joseph’s early life was marked by struggles and challenges, as his country endured the hardships of World War II. After the war, Joseph and other students of his generation protested the communist government in the revolution of 1956, temporarily driving out the occupying Soviet soldiers; but Joseph was later forced to flee to America with his older brother Charlie as refugees, traveling across minefields into Austria, and eventually settled with relatives in St. Louis in February 1957.
He married his wife, Helen, at St. Mary of Victories Church in June 1958, and they were devoted to each other for 53 years. Joseph later graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. An intelligent, highly motivated man with an entrepreneurial spirit, he founded United Engineering in 1962, where he built aerospace components for 44 years alongside his son and daughter.
Among his many hobbies was motorcycle racing, a passion he passed down to his son; he competed in races across Hungary and America from his youth into the 1980s and won many awards. Joseph was also an avid firearms and militaria enthusiast, always having a keen interest in the history and mechanics behind them. Joseph also loved eating home-cooked Hungarian food made by his family, playing chess, doing word searches, telling stories about his life, and, most of all, being surrounded by his family.
Joseph will be best known as a steadfast, wise, inquiring man and a provider of never-ending comfort, joy, and amusement to many people. He always emphasized maintaining precision and dedication in whatever anyone set their mind to, as he taught his family this was the key to his own success.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen G. (Konnyu) Heizer; his parents, John S. and Helen (Poloskei/Kladiva) Heizer; and his brother, Charles K. (Helen survives) Heizer. He is survived by his children, Lisa (Herb) LeCompte and James (Michele) Heizer; his grandchildren, Joseph (Colleen) Stumbo, Heather (Eric) Balmes, Matthew and Benjamin Heizer; and great-grandchildren, Briar and Elway Balmes and David and Holly Stumbo, and beloved family members Kenneth, Laura, Harlan, and Sienna Wolters.
The family would also like to give honor to the nurses and caregivers who lovingly took great care of him and became family; it is a community we will miss very much. He was loved by many.
Visitation will take place November 16, 2026, at 10:00 am with Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 at Mary, Mother of the Church, 5901 Kerth Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128, and burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery at 6901 MacKenzie Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123.
