NELSON EDWARD HEINEY, 86 went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 18, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife Dennie and friends. Nelson was born in Catasauqua, PA, on July 2, 1937, to the late Audry and Ethel (Miller) Heiney, and was the youngest of their seven children.
He enjoyed the outdoors where he spent many weekends at the family cabin hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. Nelson was a leader in the Indian Guides during the 1960's and transitioned to being a boy scout leader in the 1970's. He spent a lot of time with his dad where he learned woodworking and how to innovate by making his own parts when they were not available. He was also a member of the North South Skirmish Association where he traveled to countless shooting meets on the east coast.
While raising his three children in Allentown, PA, Nelson worked at Western Electric and Bell Communications for over 15 years before moving to Florida to work for Walt Disney World. In his career at Disney, he first worked in Walt Disney World Print Services and later acted as a print manager in marketing until his retirement in 2001. He loved his job and was recognized for his skill in it.
In his later years, Nelson was an avid hobby collector and restorationism. He collected and repaired model trains and created a unique setup in his home that included trains running along the ceiling. He also found great joy in fixing, refinishing, and restoring antique furniture and clocks and would sell his completed pieces in his booth in downtown Clermont and Winter Garden, where he would share his wealth of knowledge with fellow enthusiasts. At one point in his garage he restored his Triumph TR6 which when it was done, he would take to car shows.
Nelson was married to his wife Dennie in 1985 and resided with her in Clermont, FL. Together with his wife, he was a member of Starke Lake Baptist Church of Ocoee, FL. Nelson was predeceased by his daughter Pauline L. (Heiney) Snyder. Nelson is survived by his wife, Dennie; daughter Charlotte A. (Heiney) Kramlich; son Paul L. Heiney and wife Jennifer; brother David Heiney and wife Betty; son-in-law Don Snyder; mother-in-law Mary Ann Lipson. Nelson has 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Nelson's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday February 24, 2024, at Starke Lake Baptist Church on 611 West Ave, Ocoee, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Journey's End Animal Sanctuary in Deland, FL; Animals in Distress, Coopersburg, PA. Arrangements by DeGusipe Funeral Home, Ocoee FL.