Otis L. ‘Lud’ Heine

Funeral services for Otis L. ‘Lud’ Heine, 87, Lawrence, will be at 10 am Saturday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Robert Leiste officiating.  Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.  Lud died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born Feb. 6, 1926, in Lawrence, the son of Otis C. and Mary Korenchan Heine.  He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1944, and joined the Navy Seabees for about two years at Guam.  After his military service, he started his excavating business in 1946.  In 1998, he was given the Award of Merit Lifetime Accomplishment for promoting soil and water conservation by the Mid-America Association of Conservation Districts.  Lud earned his private pilot’s license and owned several small planes.  He enjoyed giving rides to friends and neighbors.  Lud played trombone, violin, and guitar in high school, and also played with area residents for barn dances and social events in the community.  He served as trustee of Redeemer Lutheran Church, where he was a member, and served on the Boards of Rural Water District #5 and Wakarusa Watershed.  He also helped organize a Boy Scout troop.

He married Reta L. Bagby on July 6, 1952, at Danforth Chapel in Lawrence.  She survives of the home.  Other survivors include a son, Rodney C. Heine and wife Lanaea, Lawrence; a daughter, Rhonda E. Bingaman and husband Brian, Okla. City; a brother, Vernon Heine and wife Arlene, Lawrence; and three grandchildren, Kirstyn Heine, and Hayden and Tyler Bingaman.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Richard Heine, and a granddaughter, Kahlyn Heine.

Friends may call from noon to 8 pm Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6-7:30 pm.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Asera Care Hospice, or a charity of the donor’s choice, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.