Russell W. Heath,

Russell W. Heath, Sr., 79 years old, of Andover, Ohio, died in Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida, on Tuesday, April 13, 2004. Russell was born on April 9, 1925, in Ashtabula, Ohio, to the late Ross G. Heath and the late Lena (Sunbury) Heath. Mr. Heath resided in Richmond Twp. from 1926 to 2002, where he farmed, operated an insurance business, and served for over 30 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He graduated from Andover High School in 1943 and Ohio State University in 1950. He began his military flying career in 1945 as an aviation cadet in the Army Air Corp and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1978. During this time, he logged more than 5,400 flying hours in 23 different model of aircraft, finishing with the A-37 Dragonfly, a close air support fighter jet. He also served for 12 years as the U.S. Air Force Academy Liaison Officer for the Ashtabula County Schools. Mr. Heath married Patricia (Becker) of North Collins, NY, in 1948, and raised his five children on the family farm in Richmond Center. An active member of the Richmond and Andover communities, he was a lifelong member of the Richmond Center United Methodist Church, the Percy D. Hyatt American Legion, Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, Laker Ruritan Club, and the Air Force Retired Officers Association. He served on the Pymatuning Valley School Board of Education for 16 years and was a Richmond Twp. Trustee for 4 years. He helped establish the J. Wendell Marvin endowment that continues to provide academic scholarships for local students and funding for the Andover Public Library. Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Robert and Raymond Heath. He is survived by his wife, Patricia L. Heath of Andover, Ohio; her three daughters, Barbara Heath of Plymouth Township, Ohio; Linda Heath of Ashtabula, Ohio; and Cindy Fetters of Cherry Valley, Ohio; his two sons, Russell W. Heath, Jr., Colonel, USAF (Retired) of Fairfax, Virginia; and Thomas R. Heath of Clearwater, Florida; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Baumgardner Funeral Home, 134 Prospect Street, Andover, on Saturday, April 17th, at 7:00p.m. Calling hours will be at the funeral home on Saturday, April 17, from 5:00p.m. until the time of services. Burial of cremated remains will take place at a later date in Richmond Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Andover Public Library, P.O. Box 1210, Andover, Ohio 44003

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