Dorothy Louise Heffner, age 100, of St. Joseph s Senior Living in Louisville, Ohio, went home peacefully to be with our Lord and Savior on July 26, 2020, after a short illness. Dorothy was born on June 2, 1920 in St. Joseph, Missouri. She graduated from Youngstown Rayen High School in 1938, where she excelled at baseball, basketball, and volleyball and was a member of numerous clubs and activities. She majored in education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and graduated in 1942. She really enjoyed interacting with students of all ages and taught school at both the elementary and high school levels. In the Canton area, she taught at Canton South and Glenwood high schools and spent many years at Our Lady of Peace school. Upon completing her teaching career, she was a legal secretary for the Eugene P. Okey law firm in downtown Canton.
She married Jerome A. Heffner, Sr. in 1948, and they made their home in Canton, Ohio. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband and her brother Ockle E. (Bettylu) Johnson, Jr. She is survived by her daughter Madonna (Paul) Gaus of Wooster, Ohio, and her son Jerome A. (Barbara) Heffner, Jr. of North Beach Haven, New Jersey; four grandchildren Laura (Brian) Hansen, Amy (Jeremy) Gaumer, Sarah Heffner, and Luke Heffner; and seven great grandchildren Noah, Grant, and Pierce McKee; Tommy and Ellie Hansen; and Rory and Lyric Gaumer; her sister Margaret (Will) Moore; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was a very godly, faith-filled mother, grandmother, and friend. She always had a positive outlook on life. She was a kind and gentle person, always optimistic and pleasant, who never thought badly of anyone. Dorothy was devout and prayerful, always with a rosary in her hand, a faithful child of God. Her Catholic faith was very important to her, and she attended Mass as often as she could throughout her lifetime.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by McIntire, Bradham & Sleek, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster, Ohio. A private memorial service will be held with immediate family only. The memorial service will be livestreamed on the McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home Facebook page on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 11:00 AM. A Celebration of Life with family and friends will be announced at a later date.
A special thank you to all the loving and caring people at St. Joseph s Senior Living who took such wonderful care of Dorothy throughout her stay there and to Crossroads Hospice for comforting her during her final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
Service
A private memorial service will be held with immediate family only. The memorial service will be livestreamed on the McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home Facebook page on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 11:00 AM. A Celebration of Life with family and friends will be announced at a later date.
Visitation
Mrs Heffnew lived a loving life and graced many with her presence. She has joined God’s legion of angels. God bless her family.
Aunt Dorothy was a blessing, and we were all blessed to have her with us for as long as we did. Her smile was radiant. I think she was smiling every time I ever saw her. Let’s smile as we think of her.
condolences, prayers and Blessings for the family. Beautiful legacy for a lovely woman with great faith and love for everyone. Rest in perfect peace.
“I’ll remember our talks about our families and you had many amazing about your mom, Dorothy. They were so positive about her ways-with a big smile and a great sense of humor, always great with a story.” My thoughts are with you, Barb and family and hoping all those good stories stay with you always.
Mrs Heffner was an incredible woman. Always full of life and loving. I’m so glad that I was able to know her, all of her positivity and selflessness. May God bless her and may she Rest In Peace.
RIP dear Dorothy. Even though I did not get to know you too well I always admired you. I always said when I grew up I wanted to be like you. So active, smiling and a joy to be around. You leave behind a beautiful legacy of your loving family. God bless
Jerry, Your mother was certainly an amazing woman! I couldn’t believe how well she was doing last September when you brought her to our 8th grade reunion. Having her in your lives for so long is truly a blessing. My deepest sympathy to all of you and may your memories of her always put a smile in your hearts.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Dorothy but my friend Sarah spoke so highly of her grandmother. Sending my prayers and sympathies to the family.
Grandma was truly an incredible woman. I deeply admired her faith, love, kindness, and compassion towards others. She is already missed by so many and we will carry her with us in our hearts. I pray that God blesses her eternally and that she may rest in peace.