Ruth Howard Heston

Ruth Howard Heston, 106, a resident of Cleveland passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2011 in a local healthcare facility. She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, March 29, 1905. At age 16 she entered Ohio Wesleyan University. While there, she met and married Herman Heston; and they had four children. She went back to college years later and received her B.S. and Masters in Education from UTC. Ruth or "Mamaw", taught for 19 years in the Polk and Bradley County School Systems. She was also an avid conservationist and bird watcher, working in the Sierra Club, Hiwassee Audubon Society and the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association. Her civic activities included the Pilot Club, American Association of University Women, and League of Women's Voters and was on the board of directors of the American Red Cross and the YMCA. During her long life of teaching and service, she received many awards, including The Clara Barton Honor award, was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Ohio Wesleyan University, and was part of the House Joint Resolution 99, honoring the 20th anniversary of the Cleveland/Bradley Co Water Safety Program, which she helped start. Her main interest for many years was Red Cross work. She volunteered for Disaster Relief and taught First Aid, CPR and swimming for over 20 years at the Cleveland YMCA, including being Water Safety Director for many of those years. In recognition of her long years of service the new YMCA building was dedicated to her in 2000. She was preceded in death by her son, Herman "Jack" Heston; grandson, David Heston and special friends, Warnie Finnell and Frank Lowery. Survivors include her children, Alice McDonald, MaryAnn Lawson, and Marjorie Heston; six grandchildren, Kathleen Parent, Ruthie McDonald, Sue Bessler and husband, Roger, Tonya Lawson and husband, Dr. John Shaw, and Jackie Ellis and husband, Larry; twelve great-grandchildren, Bryan Bessler, Kara and Megan Kilmer, Gregory, Matt and Teresa Parent, Jon and Jack Ellis, Jena Birdwell, Anna Beth, April and Jason Heston and seven great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her large group of assorted special friends which include, Pelham Hardwick, Betty Rodie, Elaine Fulton, Michael Fahey, Ramie Best, Jesse Fulton and Wayne Cannon. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with the Reverend Jennifer Newell officiating. Interment will follow in the Heston Family Cemetery with Laura Fulton, Michael Fahey, John Ellis, Jack Ellis, Mike Birdwell and Jesse Fulton serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 4:00 - 8:00 at the funeral home. The family requests that memorials be mad to The American Red Cross, American Red Cross PO Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018; or online at www. redcross.org. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Heston family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.