Elizabeth Hess Herron

HERRON Elizabeth "Betty" Hess Herron, age 92, of Marysville, died Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Dublin Methodist Hospital following a short illness. A gentle and gracious woman of faith, she personified to all those who loved and respected her, what a lady should exemplify. A 1938 graduate of Wyomissing High School in Wyomissing, PA, a suburb of Reading PA, she was an active volunteer in the Children's Ward of Reading Hospital during her high school years. She attended Stoneleigh Junior College in Rye Beach, NH and later graduated from McCann School of Business in Reading, PA. She was a former secretary to the vice president of Carpenter Steel Company in Reading. During World War II, she enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942. She served almost four years as a WAVE (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service) at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. Following her military service, she was a librarian at Wyomissing Public Library. She was born June 29, 1920 in Wyomissing, PA to the late Emil and Rose Elizabeth Brunner Hess. She was also predeceased by a brother Arthur Hess. She is survived by her husband, F. Leon Herron, Jr. whom she married August 16, 1947 in Wyomissing. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. She and her husband moved to Marysville in 1965 where she served as a volunteer at Memorial Hospital of Union County and was instrumental in organizing several groups in Marysville and in Florida to make AIDS baby quilts. When Christian education was no longer permitted in the public schools, she was key in starting the Christian Kids Club, an after school event in which she served as president for many years. She was a past member of the Junior League of Reading, PA and Women's Parliament in Marysville. Her interests centered on her family, home, the Church and especially mission outreach for children. She also enjoyed gardening and was extremely passionate about her dogs. She was a member of Marysville First United Methodist Church, the Central Ohio Emmaus Community, the Boca Grande Methodist Church in Florida, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and the Boca Grande Club. She is also survived by a son, F. Leon "Tim" (Julie) Herron, III of Marysville; a daughter, Sandra "Sandy" (Dennis) Burns of Marysville; three grandchildren, Caitlin Herron, Brooke (Dan) Fox and Drew (Samantha) Sparks; three great-grandchildren, Hunter and Skylar Clark and Isabella Sparks; a sister, Martha Mantis of California and her three daughters, Thea, Connie and Ann; and three nieces, Ann Smith, Betsy (Art) Smith and Jean (Kevin) Keller; and many other relatives and dear friends. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at UNDERWOOD FUNERAL HOME. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at Marysville First United Methodist Church. Reverends Aaron Brown, Gary Campbell and Richard Teller will officiate. Private interment will be held at Newhouse Cemetery in Ostrander. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Center, 212 Chestnut Street, Marysville, Ohio 43040, Faith Mission, 315 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or to her church. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.underwoodfuneralhome.com.