“Always in Our Hearts”
GLENNA JEAN PATTERSON HEILMAN
March 30, 1930 – May 25, 2026
Glenna Jean Heilman, 96, passed away peacefully with family gathered on Monday, May 25, 2026. Jean was born on March 30, 1930 in Kilbuck, Ohio. She was the daughter of Glenn and Frances Patterson. She had three brothers, Richard, & Robert, ( both deceased) and leaves behind her beloved brother, William, of Montrose, Colorado.
Jean graduated from Ashland High School in 1948 with honors, and married Al Joseph Heilman in 1951. She worked many years as a bookkeeper in Ashland, and later in Mansfield, Ohio at Jumbo Trucking Company. Later in life she moved to Ocoee FL and worked in several Home Health Care Offices.
Jean was a devoted mother to five children, Susan Neumeyer, (Scott), Jan Smith, deceased,( Andrew), Mark Heilman,(Tami), Cathy Kline,(Garry), and Andy Heilman,(Betsy). She spent many years assisting at Saint Edward School with Festivals for the school & church events.
She was affectionately known as “Granny” to her 8 grandchildren, Kelly, Katie, Julie, Sarah, Megan, Jody, Ashley, Kristen and Ryan. She was blessed with 12 great grandchildren, and one Great great granddaughter who all adored her.
Jean enjoyed traveling with Gloria Scott, her best friend, and classmate of 75 + years, whom she leaves sadly behind. She socialized with her 1948 classmates, and organized their many reunions and lunches, as late as this past April.
Her hobbies included shelling on Fort Myers Beach, journaling, gardening, and feeding her birds. She also loved to end her evenings watching “GunSmoke”.
Jean was the heart of our family, a beacon of unconditional love, strength, and grace, who taught us how to face life with courage and forgiveness. She made everyone feel special, offering a nurturing, guiding light, like the lighthouses she so loved to visit.
We’ll cherish her as a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a friend while we mourn her passing; and celebrate a life lived with generosity and joy, holding on to her lessons and memories close to our hearts, where she will live forever.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Edward Catholic Church, 501 Cottage Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805 with Father James Winings presiding, followed by a lunch in the St Edward Parish Activity Center. Family and friends may gather one hour prior to the mass from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church.
A private family graveside service is planned at a later date.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Gentiva Hospice, 112 Harcourt Rd #3, Mt Vernon, OH 43050.
For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com