David C. Heigley passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024 at Genesis Emergency Room surrounded by his loving family and Father Todd Lehigh. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, farmer, tractor puller, music lover, proud American, and unofficial Mayor of Deavertown.
Someone recently said that he was a pillar of strength and love, everyone around him could feel it. To say he was a great man did not give him enough credit. David was a proud Air Force veteran who served our country for six years from 1961-1967. While in the Air Force, he worked on the Bomber B-58 A Hustler. Several years ago, he attended the honor flight to Washington D.C. He was so very proud and grateful to be able to attend; it was an experience he treasured until his death. Dave spent many hours gathering photographs of WWII veterans to display in the veterans day program in the Deavertown gym.
David married the love of his life Cheryl (Wannamaker) Heigley on November 27, 1965. He always said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. They were blessed with five beautiful children which became his pride and joy. He later cherished and enjoyed his grandchildren and then his great-grandchildren. He always enjoyed when the family would gather together, have dinner, and all be together. David always told his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids how much he loved them, how proud he was of them, and to "be careful" when they went to leave.
David was employed by Sidwell Brothers when he was first married and then went to work at the Ohio Ferro Alloy until he became full-time dairy farmer. He loved to farm. David and Cheryl bought their first farm in 1968, he worked day and night to build what it is today. He loved sitting on the steps of the house, twitching his hair, and looking out at what he had built. In 2020 when he could no longer farm, he handed his tractor plow down to his son so he could continue his legacy of working the land. David was an International (tractor) man, but was always willing to talk tractors with "the green hats." He worked on tractors out of his shop for many years as well as tractor pulling, even after he couldn't pull any longer he would sit for hours watching his son, friends, granddaughter, grandson, and son-in-law pull their tractors. David spent his time tractor pulling with Billy Eppley, Joe Miller, Debbie Floyd, and Joe Woneymaker. The Chicken Charlie was his pulling tractor that was considered to be his love. Dave found enjoyment in attending farm sales with his son Mike, brother-in-law Joe, Vince Sigman, and Glenn Winters. His son, Mike had bought back Dave's very first tractor that he ever owned and gave it to his dad for Father's Day several years ago and he treasured this gift so much.
He never met a stranger, could always come up with a nickname, constantly had a smile on his face, and always had a kind word to say for all. Dave was a member of The Church of The Atonement in Crooksville, lifetime member of the Morgan FFA alumni, and Crooksville-Roseville VFW Post 9090. He helped with the Morgan County Democratic Central Committee for several years, and he also coached many young men in basketball at York Elementary in which he always had a winning team.
Left to mourn his loss, but left with precious memories, are his wife of 58 years Cheryl Heigley; his children, Julie (Bill) Dalrymple, Mike (Verna) Heigley, Heidi (James) Staker, and Holly (Jodi) Perani; his grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Ethan (Tori) Vanhorn, Eric Vanhorn, Clarissa (Floyd) Wang, Brittany Heigley (Sef Smith), Benjamin Heigley, Makayla Staker (Logan Moore), Marissa Staker (Andrew Bauerbach) Makenna Staker, Katlyn (Caden) Dunn, Monica, Josie and Joey Perani (Zach Damon); and his great-grandchildren, Owen and Orin Vanhorn, Weston Carney, Montgomery Perani, and newest addition, Henry Michael Dunn; his brother, Bernard (Carol) Heigley and his brother-in-law, Joe (Carla) Woneymaker, along with many nieces and nephews of which he was so very proud.
He is preceded in death by his youngest son, Bryan David Heigley of which he and Cheryl took loving care of up until his passing in 2020; his granddaughter, Lorianna Elizabeth Vanhorn , his parents Steve and Velva Kathryn Heigley, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Kenneth and Mary Catherine Woneymaker, and his nephew, Jared Woneymaker.
Calling hours will be held at Goebel Funeral Home, 36 N. Buckeye Street, Crooksville, Ohio 43731 from 2:00pm-8:00pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 where Rosary will be recited at 7:45pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Somerset at 11:00am, Thursday, April 18th with Father Todd Lehigh as celebrant followed by interment at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, south of Crooksville.
Full military honors will be presented at the gravesite by the Forest L. Mumford Post 71 Roseville American Legion, 74 S Main St., Roseville, Ohio, with David's great niece, Abigail Heigley playing taps per his request.
Memorial contributions may be made in David's memory to the Morgan County FFA, C/O Sunny Murphy, 7758 St. Rt. 669 NE, McConnelsville, Ohio 43756.