As received from the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Jacob Herman Heikkinen, aged 82 years, passed away peacefully at the Bayside Village Nursing Home in L’Anse, Michigan, on October 18, 2025. His faithful and loving brother, Alfred Heikkinen, was at his bedside.
Jacob was born on August 20, 1943, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. At that time, his mother, Toini Elizabeth Heikkinen, lived there with her father and sisters. Jacob’s father, Jacob W. Heikkinen, was traveling on behalf of the Lutheran Church in America and completing a Doctor of Theology (ThD) at Princeton University.
Music was always a part of Jacob’s life, even at this early stage. His mother was an exceptionally fine pianist and organist. His grandfather, a retired western Pennsylvania steel worker in New Castle, was the choir director at the local Finnish Lutheran Church.
As a young child Jacob moved to Gettysburg, PA, where his father was a professor at the Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. Jacob started violin lessons, took voice lessons, and played little league baseball at this time.
For his high school years, he attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts (grades 9 – 12).
After his preparatory school graduation, Jacob traveled with his family to Helsinki, Finland. On his own, he traveled throughout Finland, including Lapland, using his knowledge of the Finnish language. He also independently visited St. Petersburg, Russia (then known as Leningrad).
Jacob attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin for one year, where he also sang in the local Lutheran Church choir. As a bass soloist, the choir featured him in a recording. After one year at Lawrence University, Jacob transferred to Gettysburg College and graduated with a B.S. in Religion. While a student there he worked in the college library.
Jacob went on to pursue a graduate degree at Mount Airy Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa. He completed one full semester but did not finish the degree program.
From this time on, Jacob worked various professional jobs and continued to look for meaningful work.
Eventually he moved from Pennsylvania to the family farmhouse in Nisula, Michigan. There he also worked various jobs and found semi-permanent work from Mr. Hulkonen of the Hulkonen Egg Farm.
Reaching the age of 65, Jacob retired from regular work but he continued to mow the lawn at the Nisula Post Office for a few years.
He was a member of the Mission United Lutheran Church in Pelkie, Michigan, for many years. Jacob attended church faithfully. He tithed regularly and collected cans and bottles, receiving refunds, and donating that money back to the church.
Jacob had friendships with relatives and neighbors throughout the Copper Country area. In his later years he was very grateful for the support and care of the Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly organization.
Jacob was known for his strong faith, skilled speaking and reading of the Finnish language, love of his violin, and his musically strong bass singing voice.
It is most important to know that Jacob loved God and Jesus. He chose to live in God’s Grace throughout his life.
Jacob is survived by his brothers, Al and Karl, Barbara Heikkinen (Karl’s spouse), and Lynn Zoiopoulos (Al’s partner). Jacob also has two nieces, Amy Heikkinen-Brooks, and Erika Heikkinen as well as many cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Mission United Lutheran Church, Pelkie with Pastor Kelly Ylitalo officiating. The family will receive friends at church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. Immediately following the funeral services, interment will take place in St. Henry’s Cemetery, Nisula, MI in the Heikkinen family gravesite. A luncheon will be held following interment in the church hall.
Jacob’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.reidfuneralservicechapel.com
The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
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