Rosemary Heater, 93, born April 25, 1914 in Ridgeville, Ind., a resident of Daphne the past 16 years, died Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Thomas Hospital.
Before moving to Daphne, she was a retired school teacher, community volunteer in Winamac and enjoyed reading books, visiting with friends, playing golf, painting and various crafts. She was active with the Genealogy Society and attended the Methodist Church in Winamac.
She traveled all over Europe with her daughter, Barbara, and enjoyed spending many vacation times with her family. Once she moved to Daphne to live with her daughter, her activities included a rousing game of dominos with anybody who would be brave enough to play her, as well as an avid reader, constant visitor to the Daphne City Library, and never missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune.
She became a member of the Red Hat Society, joining on her 90th birthday. She was well loved and tended by the devoted nurses at Beverly Living Center for the past several months, as well as the caring staff at Thomas Hospital, especially Dr. Grant Brummett, who has been her physician for the past 16 years, along with his wonderful nurse, Dru Farley and his caring office staff at Eastern Shore Family Practice.
She was an active member of Liberty Church in Fairhope, where she participated in Bible study as well as Sunday services. She has many Christian friends there who loved her dearly and visited with her often.
She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph Lewis Heater of Winamac, Ind.; son, Richard Lee Heater of Fayetteville, Ark., sister Eileen MacBeth of Muncie, Ind., as well as her beloved pet dog, Thumper.
Survivors include her loving and devoted family, Barbara (Woody) Cotton of Daphne, Vic (Judy) Heater of Winamac, Ind.; Carolyn (John) O'Donnell of Fayetteville, Ark.; grandchildren Viki (Toby) McGinty of Daphne, Dr. Tom (Barbie) Leach of Centre, Rosie (Mike) Merold of Daphne, Joey Cotton of Houston, Dr. Amanda (Curt) Lords of Colorado, Carolyn (Darron) Robinson of Brentwood, Ark., LeAnne (John) Behny, Laura (Joe) Bucinski and Rebecca (Matt) Kopka, all of Winamac, Ind.; 19 great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly, ranging in age from 23 to 2 years of age.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at Liberty Church in Fairhope. Interment will be in Winamac, Ind., at a later date.
Because of her devotion towards the Shriner's Hospital and their assistance helping physically challenged children, including her own son and great-granddaughter through the years, the family requests donations be made to ABBA Temple Shrine, Transportation Unit, 7701 Hitt Road, Mobile, AL 36695.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
