Genie Heika, 80, of Traverse City passed away November 3, 2017 at Munson Medical Center with her family by her side.
Genie was born on August 9, 1937 in Detroit to the late George and Phyllis (Smiles) Urbanchock.
Genie married the love of her life, William Edward Heika "Bill", on June 22, 1952 in Angola, IN.
Together they raised nine children and moved to Traverse City in 1968. She worked for Dills for several years and eventually took a position with Traverse Anesthesia in the billing department. In between she worked at the Viktor Weyand Travel Agency, where she was bit by the travel bug. She especially liked her trips to Venice, Italy, the south of France and aboard a cruise ship to Alaska. In her spare time she enjoyed reading all types of genres, but especially mystery novels. She liked to play cards and loved a good game of Cribbage, Pinochle Poker and Euchre. Genie was a huge fan of Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond and loved seeing them in concert. Above all else, Genie cherished her family and friends. There was nothing she loved more than a house full of people. She will be greatly missed.
Genie is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bill; her children Steven, Richard (Pat), William (Linda), Linda, Patty (John) Maxbauer, James, Michael (Melinda), Jeffrey (Katharine) and Paul; grandchildren Ricky, Nikki, Alex, Meredith, Katie and Victoria; great grandson Harley, best friend Carol and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceeded in death by her parents, her sister Marilyn and her son Christopher.
The family will have a celebration of Genie's life at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association.
Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to sign Genie's online guestbook and to share your memories with the family.

The family is being cared for by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.