Edward Jay "Ed" Heath

1946 - 2017

Edward Jay Heath was born Sept. 7, 1946, to Wiley Sans Heath and Leona Mae (Kelly) Heath at Broken Bow. The family lived south of Berwyn until moving to Tappan Valley. Edward attended Tappan Valley District 75 and Broken Bow High School graduating with the class of 1965.
In 1964, he enlisted with the National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1970.
In June 1968, Ed was married to Phyllis Wolosevich and to this union five children were born. Edward's demonstration of being a faithful husband, a provider, and loving father will be his legacy. Edward was unashamed to publicly proclaim his faith through baptism in the summer of 2000.
Ed was a man of many talents and was employed in a variety of positions including construction, machinist, cable technician, Lineman, and motor grader operator, being currently employed at Custer County Highway Department. He also joined his father and uncle farming in 1971. Edward resided permanently on the family farm from 1968 until his death.
Edward was an active member of his community by serving on the boards of Custer County NFO and Tappan Valley School. He also volunteered as Awana Club Game Co-Director (Berean Church) while his children attended. Ed and Phyllis were Therapeutic Foster Parents providing care for several youth including Timothy and Jedd. Edward had a soft heart toward those in need and often lent a helping hand as he had also received acts of kindness. Edward's care and sacrifice will be remembered in the values he modeled to his family, friends, neighbors, and those around him.
Ed loved fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities with his children and friends. Entertaining brought him delight, as he was often heard retelling many memories and stories of those events.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Sophia Wolosevich; brother-in-law, Gerald Kohut; and son-in-law, Timothy Lien.
Edward is survived by his wife, Phyllis of 49 years; and his children, Justin (Janelle) of Strafford, Mo., Vanessa (Todd) of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Andrew (Audrey) of Chesterfield, Mo., Gabrielle (Andy) Rickley of Omaha, and Nicholas (Noemi) Heath of Marshalltown, Iowa. Ed is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Austin, Alex and Sophia Heath; Charissa, Noelle, and Justus Avera; Tyler, Natalie, and Samuel Heath; Olivia and Cole Rickley; and Elijah, Emily, and Edward Heath. Sister Rita (Jerry) Rosentreader of Mason City; sisters-in-law, Maryann Denson of Chicago, Ill., and Bonnie Kohut of Salem, Mo. Edward is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a host of extended family and friends.
Edward "Ed" Heath, age 70 of Broken Bow, died Thursday, June 1, 2017, at the Bryan LGH East Hospital in Lincoln.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at 2 p.m., at the Berean Bible Church in Broken Bow with Pastor Tyce Jensen and Pastor Bob Winn officiating.
Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday 8 a.m - 8 p.m. at the Govier Brother Mortuary in Broken Bow, with the family greeting friends 5:30 - 8 p.m., at Govier Brothers Mortuary.