David Heath

David Allen Heath, 76, of Quincy passed away early Saturday morning, December 20, 2014 at his home following a battle with lung cancer.

He was born in Quincy on February 5, 1938 to the late Oliver David and Lena Olive (Yoder) Heath. On July 9, 1961, he married LaDonna Ruth Fry in the Quincy United Methodist Church, and she survives after 53 years of marriage.

David also leaves behind three children and seven grandchildren: son James Heath of Dorado, Puerto Rico, and his four children, Rusty Deere of Urbana, Ohio, Kristie (Ayiende) Smith of Riverview, Florida, Lindsey Heath and Lucas (Amanda) Heath of Ohio; son Wesley (Shelley Waymire) Heath and their two children, Tarah and Preston of Sidney, Ohio; and daughter Cynthia Heath and her son Hunter Little, of West Liberty, Ohio.

He has five great-grandchildren, Zackari Heath, Zarik Deere, Kayla and Jayden Smith, and Kiliana Heath along with numerous nephews and nieces.

David is the last of eleven children. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Harold Raymond Heath, Gaylord Carl (Leah Jean) Heath, Claude Leonard Heath, Paul Merlin (Betty) Heath, Herschel Duane (Louise) Heath, Donald Max Heath, Robert Charles (Ledona) Heath and sisters C. Lucille (Herb) Roberts-Stahler-Pickering, Mary Catherine (Edgar) Klauer and Delores Heath. Two sisters-in-law survive, Ledona Heath and Betty Heath. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Dennis (Marilane Foster) Fry of Quincy. Two nephews, Bruce (Diana) and Kit (Barb) Heath also preceded him in death.

David was a 1956 Quincy graduate and attended the University of Cincinnati, Ohio bragging often about knowing Oscar Robinson who was a very successful basketball player at UC.

While still in high school, he was farming on his own and was introduced by his brother Claude to a future in tunnel construction. After graduation he was in partnership with his brother Duane with Heath & Heath Construction. Later he became full owner and the name was changed to the David A. Heath Construction, working in tunnel and land construction throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and Arlington, Virginia. He was responsible for the layout of the early Riverside football field, the future DeGraff Community Park, the DT&I railroad siding adjacent to Liberty Street in Quincy and the horse training track at the Vernon Allen home west of Pasco, Ohio. He renovated the railroad bridges along the DT&I rail line and was known for construction of many area farm ponds.

Years later David and Bill Martin were co-owners and operators of the Bee & Till in Bellefontaine. Continuing with farming and construction, David’s last work for others was with the Carey Brothers in Lima, Ohio.

He had owned harness racing horses and was well known for his large well-groomed garden. He loved people to stop and ask him for his tips in gardening. He enjoyed spending time at the The Pines … visiting with friends & construction crews who came in after their workday was over. He loved playing cards and especially the game of pool which he did very well!

David was a member of the Quincy United Methodist Church.

Rev. Frank James of Quincy United Methodist Church and Pastor William Halter of Maplewood United Methodist Church will officiate the funeral service on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at 1pm at the Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 210 W. Hayes St, DeGraff. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral, from 11am – 1pm. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Quincy.