Elwin Francis Heath

PITTSTON -- Elwin F. Heath, 84, of Pittston passed away peacefully on Friday March 30, 2007, at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta following a brief illness.

He was born in Whitefield on June 27, 1922, the son of Elmer J. Heath and Florence I. Russell. He was educated in Whitefield schools, spent two years in the Civil Conservation Corps and served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer in Michigan during World War II.

He married his childhood sweetheart, Lizabelle Prescott, on Nov. 16, 1943, in Randolph. They lived in Battle Creek, Mich., for two years before returning to Maine where they bought their home in Pittston and raised their family.

He worked for most of his life in road construction as a bulldozer operator throughout Maine and in Vermont. Elwin has been a lifelong member of the East Pittston United Methodist Church, actively involved in all aspects. He also received the Spirit of America award for his dedication to the church and community. In his spare time, he and Lizabelle enjoyed hiking, camping and fishing. They enjoyed playing cards with many friends. They also enjoyed Maine Bus Line Tours around the country and spent several winters in Florida.

He worked for most of his life in road construction as a bulldozer operator throughout Maine and in Vermont. Elwin has been a lifelong member of the East Pittston United Methodist Church, actively involved in all aspects. He also received the Spirit of America award for his dedication to the church and community. In his spare time, he and Lizabelle enjoyed hiking, camping and fishing. They enjoyed playing cards with many friends. They also enjoyed Maine Bus Line Tours around the country and spent several winters in Florida.

Elwin is predeceased by his parents; his stepmother Eugenia Jewett Heath; a daughter Sandra Jean Heath in 1948; three brothers, Edward, Harold, and Joseph; a sister Mabel French; and two half-sisters, Mary Holt and Eva Morgan.

He is survived by Lizabelle, his wife of 63 years; a daughter Charil Mairs and her husband, Peter; a daughter Donalene Austin and her husband, Roger; a son David and his wife, Pamela; and a son Stephen and his wife, Bonnie.

He is also survived by nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and by one sister, Thelma Reay of Winthrop. There are also several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be sadly missed by all of his friends and family.

Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Services will be held Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial service will be held at a later date.