Harry Jacob Hein

Harry Jacob Hein, 93, of Butler passed away Monday evening, February 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 through the years.

In 1975 he started an alternator and generator and starter rebuilding business, Hein Starters, which continues to operate today.

Harry was attracted early in life to automobile racing and was a very popular and prominent  player.

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 was evolved to present- day ARCA Series) ARI and many local dirt track circuits of that 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 other times.

He is 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 through 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 Mary Ann 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  has 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 on December 17, 2021. His step brothers Henry “Heiny” Hein, Herman Hein Jr. and one step sister, Emmy (George) Asche, all from North Pittsburgh, his son-in-law, Kevin Lindsay.

Friends will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunninham St. Butler, PA 16001 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Friday. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday at the Funeral Home.  Interment will be at the Butler County Memorial Park.

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