Arlene Heisler, 85

Arlene A. Heisler, 85 years, of Ney, passed away Friday, January 16, 2015, after a lengthy battle with dementia.  Arlene was born November 20, 1929 in Bryan, Ohio the daughter of the late Elvin and Mabel (Rinkel) Jackson.  She was a 1947 graduate of Farmer High School.  She then attended Bowling Green State University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education in 1951.  Arlene continued her education during several summers at the University of Colorado where she attained her Master’s Degree in 1957.  Arlene married Vance E. Heisler on August 29, 1958 at the Lick Creek Church of the Brethren in Bryan, and he survives.

Arlene began her teaching career at Hillsdale (Mich.) High School in 1951.  In 1958 she left Hillsdale and started at the new Fairview High School, which at that time was located at the old Farmer school building.  She resigned after two years, and spent the next 12 years raising her children.  In 1972 she resumed her teaching career at Fairview.  Arlene also began coaching all the girls’ sports, which at that time were part of the GAA (Girls Athletic Association), the predecessor to the girl’s high school sport of today.  She coached volleyball, basketball, track, and cross-country, even driving the school bus to the games.  Arlene retired from Fairview in 1995.

One of Arlene’s proudest moments occurred in February of 2005 when she was awarded her varsity letter from Bowling Green State University.  Arlene was an outstanding athlete at BGSU, competing in almost every sport they had at that time.  However, until Title IX was passed in 1972, female athletes were never recognized for their accomplishments.  She never stopped beaming over this long-awaited award.

Arlene was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Edgerton where she taught Sunday School and participated in the Ladies Aide group.  She also was a member of Farm Bureau, County Cousins, Ladies Legion Auxiliary, Women’s Sewing Circle, and spent 27 years as a volunteer member of the Farmer EMS.  Arlene loved to study genealogy, follow all types of sports, and spending quality time with her family.

Surviving is her husband, Vance of Ney; four children, Steve (Cher) Heisler of Woodville, Ohio, Dave (Chris) Heisler of Hilliard, Ohio, Roger Heisler of Columbus, Ohio, Martha (Trey) Parrish of Rock Hill, South Carolina; six grandchildren, Zach and Liz Heisler, Quinn and Ethan Heisler, Toby and Lukas Parrish; one brother, Dr. Allen (Kay) Jackson of Bryan, Ohio. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation for Arlene will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2014 from 2:00 – 4:00 & 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan. Funeral Service for Arlene will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church, 1018 Cicero Road, Edgerton, Ohio with Pastor Kurt Letcher officiating. Interment will follow at Farmer Cemetery, Farmer, Ohio. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral services at the church on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 1018 Cicero Road, Edgerton, Ohio 43517 or the Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Inpatient Center, 6817 State Route 66 North, Defiance, Ohio 43512.