Heath Alfred Rutledge

Heath Alfred Rutledge, age 90, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 2, 2026.
Born to George Albert Rutledge and Dorothy Winifred Heath in Corning, NY, he lost his father to a sudden death before his second birthday. His sister, Rosemary, stayed with their mother in Corning as a young Heath moved to live on a very basic old McDonald's-type farm with his grandparents near Brooktondale, NY. There, his four music-loving uncles (Lloyd, Fay, Floyd, Roger) became his substitute fathers until three of them joined the Army to fight in WW2 while Uncle Lloyd worked in a war-support industry. Heath's mother later married Winfield Robison, and they had a son, Samuel O. Robison.
Heath moved back to Corning when old enough for school. He attended the Northside schools until his graduation from Northside Blodgett High School in 1954. He then graduated from Oswego State Teachers College with a degree in Industrial Arts Education with minors in Psychology and History, and became a Shop teacher at his high school alma mater in 1958.
In 1960, Heath started working for Corning Glass Works/Corning Incorporated and continued working there for 35 years in various research and development roles. Heath benefited from the Corning company culture of continuing education and earned numerous certificates. He is the inventor of the cup-shaped 6-phase electric glass melting furnace/vertical electric furnace (1974 patent) that enabled the Corelle dinnerware glass melting process. This year he received his 65-year pin.
Heath married Jane Welty in 1956 and had four children – Brian, Ann, Donna, and George. In 1975 he married Betty Lou Post/Schieber and added her daughters to his family – Barbara and Brenda – making it now six children.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Corning, since 1960 and served in a multitude of leadership positions, including treasurer, moderator, and a variety of teaching positions. Heath was elected as President of American Baptist Churches of NYS and served from 1998 to 2000. He was selected as the American Baptist Churches of NYS' 1989 Man of the Year. Following his two-year tenure, he prepared and presented "Ministry Planning and Goal Implementation" consulting leadership seminar to the American Baptist Men/USA Executive Committee at Scottsdale, AZ.
Heath became a certified lay minister in 1986 and served as an interim pastor to three American Baptist churches.
In 1965 Heath became a Boy Scout Cub Master for Club Pack 78 that was designed for healthy and handicapped boys. Son, Brian, was one of the handicapped boys. After three years, Brian became a member of Troop 21 at the First Baptist Church, Corning. Troop 21 combined with Troop 51 in the Congregational Church after a fire destroyed the Baptist church building.
After his Corning retirement, Heath mentored two handicapped boys as a part of the Big Brother Big Sister program.
Life has been a series of adventures designed by the Holy Spirit.
Heath had a great family! Whenever possible, they got together for special opportunities such as birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Over his life, he made five pop-top (tent) camper trips to the west coast, visiting national and state parks and the greater USA. He and Betty Lou made a 3-week wedding anniversary celebration trip to visit the Hawaiian Islands.
Between 1970 and 1971, Heath chaired an ecumenical Billy Graham Evangelism and Revival committee for the NYS Southern Tier and PA Northern Tier. This experience prepared him for the challenges of 1972 and beyond.
Music was an important part of his life. During his adult years, he sang with the Corning Philharmonic chorus, his church choir, and the Elmira Gospel Choir.
Heath enjoyed playing golf (he played into his 80s), reading, swimming, and gardening.
Heath is predeceased by his parents, George Albert Rutledge and Dorothy Winifred (Heath) Rutledge/Robison; his sister and brother-in-law, Rosemary and Ronald Doak; his brother and sister-in-law, Samuel and Phyllis Robison; his daughter, Ann (Rutledge) Dodge; and his grandson, Mark Miska.
Heath is survived by his loving wife, Betty Lou (Post) Rutledge; sons Brian (Linda Grace) Rutledge of Chambersburg, PA, and George (Pamela) Rutledge of Watkins Glen, NY; daughter, Donna (Jeffery) Keegan of Durham, NC; step-daughters Barbara (Rodney Decato) Ray of Tunbridge, VT, and Brenda (Kenneth Foster) Miska of Rochester, NY; son-in-law Daniel Dodge; grandchildren Elizabeth Grace- Rutledge, Heather (Walner) Edmond, Andrew Keegan, Alan Keegan, Shawn Rutledge, Bethany Rutledge, Karl Ray Jr., Kirsten Ray, Matthew Dodge, Dan (DJ) Fox, and Lyle Dodge; great-grandchildren Nyomi Edmond, Kira Edmond, Ayu Keegan, Ash Keegan, Esme Church, Ezekiel Church, Kacie Dodge, Nathan Dodge, and Alexa Dodge.
Friends may call on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, between 7 and 9 p.m. at Carpenter's Funeral Home in Corning, NY. A funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Mike McBrearty on Thursday January 8, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Corning, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Heath's memory to First Baptist Church, 110 E. First Street, Corning, NY, or a charity of your choice. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Heath, please visit our floral store.