Obituary for Ruth B. Heckathorn

Ruth Betty Heckathorn age 102 of Forest, passed away on Sunday Jan. 25, 2026 at Wyandot County Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She was born July 8, 1923 to the late William H. and Fannie B. (Huff Fox) Ulrich in Wyandot County. On May 9, 1943 she married Richard Anson Heckathorn, he preceded her in death in 1982.

Ruth is survived by her children Ronald L. (Marcia) Heckathorn, Marion, Gary R. (Susan) Heckathorn, Upper Sandusky, Carol L. (Rex) Kear, Forest, an adopted daughter according to Ruth Toni Breidenbach, Forest, Grandchildren are Michelle (Scott) Rooper, Upper Sandusky, Keren Heckathorn, Charlottville, VA, David (Kayla) Heckathorn, Solon, Rachel (Joe) Schreck, Wadsworth, Sarah Kear, Butler Township and Amber (Scott) Didion, Monroeville, great grandchildren Layne Rooper, Katherine, Lily and Violet Heckathorn, Micah, Emerson Ruth Schreck, She was preceded in death by brothers Harold (Ruth) Ulrich, Gerald (Mildred) Ulrich and a sister Irene (Ward) Spitler, Walton.

She was graduate of Forest High School, She grew up attending York St. Christian Union Church and as an adult became a member of Wharton 1st Church of God for 50 years where she was very active and involved. Her favorite Bible verse was Phillippinas 1:21 explains her life “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” She served on the Forest Christian Pre-School Board. Ruth was a homemaker and was the owner of the Style Shop in Forest, a cook at the Marseilles School and a meat cutter at Marseilles IGA. She was an excellent seamstress and quilter. She loved her companion cat, Macy.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contribution may be made to Wharton First Church of God or Wyandot Memorial Hospice in care of Clark Shields Funeral Home 301 S. Patterson St. Forest, OH 45843. To extend a condolence or share a memory visit www.Shieldsfh.com.

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