Hein

Harry Jacob Hein Sr., 93, of Butler, passed away on Monday evening, Feb. 20, 2023, while residing at Sunnyview Home.

Born March 6, 1929, in Mars, he was a son of the late Herman Hein and Hulda (Stitt) Hein.

Harry attended school in Mars and in Butler.

He was a natural mechanic and applied his craft early in life. He worked on automobiles for Hoch Motors, Hume Brothers, Swann Taxi Service, Sutton Tire, Ray Andre Inc., and operated many garages of his own throughout the years. In 1975, he started an alternator and generator and starter rebuilding business, Hein Starters, which continues to operate today.

In his early life, Harry was attracted to automobile racing and was a very popular and prominent driver. He began racing in 1949, and was a member of early NASCAR during their pioneer years. In 1952, he finished 17th place nationally in the NASCAR Sportsman Division. He was the last surviving member of the top 20 drivers in points from that year and division. He also raced in other organizations such as MARC (which evolved to present-day ARCA Series), ARI and many local dirt track circuits of long ago.

He favored Chrysler powered engines and he built and set up his own cars, built and maintained his own engines and drove them himself. He was very competitive and had a large following of fans. He drove against the best drivers in his era, beating them at times and being beaten by them at other times.

He was a proud member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame, the Pittsburgh Circle Track Hall of Fame, and shared multiple track championships along the way. He raced many tracks throughout the years and won his share of races.

He was also a very good piano player and loved playing for people, including at bars following a night of racing. He had fun.

He married MaryAnn Conrad on May 11, 1955. They had six children, Harry J. “Butch” Hein Jr., Cindy (Kevin) Lindsay, Richard Hein, Margie (Charles) Williams, Tommy Hein and Jim Hein.

He had six grandchildren, Jennifer (Joe) Smith, Corey Lindsay, Mandy Williams, CJ (Stephanie) Williams, Jerry (Jess) Williams and Brittany Anne (DJ) McCorry; 13 great-grandchildren; and is survived by one sister, Genevieve.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, MaryAnn, who passed away on Dec. 17, 2021; his stepbrothers, Henry “Heiny” Hein and Herman Hein Jr., and one stepsister, Emmy (George) Asche, all from North Pittsburgh; and his son-in-law, Kevin Lindsay.

HEIN — Friends of Harry Jacob Hein Sr., who died Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park.

For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.