Ivan Thomas Heath

Ivan Thomas Heath, 93, of Oil City, PA. went to the Lord peacefully on Sunday March 3, 2019 at 7:38 A.M. at the Oil City Healthcare and Rehab Center after a short illness.

                Born Sept. 5, 1925 in Oil City, PA., he was the son of the late Boyd M. Heath & Emma E. Goodman Heath.

Ivan attended Oil City Schools.

He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Ivan was a veteran of the United States Navy during World War II. He had served as a Baker Third Class at USNTS, Sampson, NY, USNAS, Pensacola, FL, the U.S.S. Portsmouth an the U.S.S. Decker and had received the European Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon and the Victory Medal.

He worked as a bus driver after his discharge from the service, and  he had also worked for

Hanna Transfer,  Pennland Tankers and Mushroom Transportation as a semi -truck driver.

Ivan later worked as a janitor for Hasson Heights Community Church and as a greeter at Walmart.

He was well known as “Ivan the Pie Man”, he baked all kinds of cakes, pies and other pastries for private customers and local restaurants.

He was an avid golfer and duck pin bowler.

Ivan enjoyed camping and singing songs,  and had a wonderful baritone voice.

Ivan was a past member of the Knights of Columbus 385, a life member of the Oil City  VFW and a deacon and elder at the Hasson Heights Community Church.

He was a member of Hasson Heights Community Church and was previously a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Oil City.

Ivan was married on Sept. 24, 1945 in Oil City to the former Marian D. Welsh and she preceded him in death on May 24, 1983. He then married the former Dolores L. Hockenberry Burns on Aug. 4, 1984 and she survives.

Ivan is also survived by three children

Thomas E. Heath & his wife Andrea of Huntsville, AL

David I. Heath of Oil City

 Linda M. Hinds of Brackenridge, PA.

Two step daughters

Colleen L. Freeman of Franklin

Machelle F. Applequist of Oil City

He is also survived by ten grandchildren

 16 great grandchildren, 6 Great Great Grandchildren and 6 step great grandchildren and 6 step grandchildren

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by 8 brothers.

James H. Goodman, Theodore T. Heath, Ronald C. Heath, Sheridan W.Heath, Elwood H.. Heath, Richard B. Heath, David L. Heath and Francis L. “Ken” Heath and by a sister Margaret Reed.

He was also preceded in death by a step son Richard L. Burns and a daughter in law Debbie HeatH and a son in law Tim Hinds

Friends will be received from 11:00A.M.-11:45 A.M. Saturday in the Hasson Heights Community Church.

Military Honors will be accorded by the V.E.TS. Honor Guard  at the church at 11:45 A.M.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 9, 2019 at 12 Noon in the Hasson Heights Community Church with Rev. Jamie Fowler, Pastor, Presiding.

Entombment will take place at the Bishop McManaman Memorial Mausoleum in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hasson Heights Community Church 21 Fairview Rd. Oil City, PA. 16301 or St. Joseph Church 35 Pearl Ave. Oil City, PA. 16301 or to a charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to thank the Visiting Nurses Association who helped Ivan at his house and to the staff at Oil City Healthcare and Rehab and Asera  Care  Hospice for their loving care. A special thanks also to the Hasson Heights Church Family and to their neighbors for the prayers, food and support during Ivan’s illness.

The Reinsel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com

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