Esther Marie Heatwole

December 25, 1929 - January 12, 2021

Esther Marie Heatwole, 91, Goshen, formerly of La Junta, Colorado died 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Goshen Hospital. She was born December 25, 1929 in Goshen, to Alvin Dale and Celesta Marie (Smucker) Bixler. Surviving are 4 sons, Steven (Bonnie) Heatwole of Archbold, Ohio, Douglas (Theresa) Heatwole of Garden City, Kansas, Roger (Jane) Heatwole of Marshalltown, Iowa, James (Elizabeth) Heatwole of Peoria, Illinois, 10 grandchildren, 12 Great-grandchildren, brother, James (Thelma) Bixler of Elkhart, 2 sisters, Rachel (Ruperto Jr) Guedea, Lois (David) Martin both of Goshen and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, C. Franklyn Heatwole, brother, David Bixler, 4 sisters, Elizabeth Bixler, Ruth Reeser, Mary Hardin, and Joanna Bixler. Esther was a faithful member of Emanuel Mennonite Church, La Junta Colorado. Esther was dearly loved by her husband, sons, and their families. She had been an active member of Rocky Ford Mennonite Church earlier. Esther graduated from Goshen College and the Mennonite School of Nursing in La Junta, Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She remained involved in nursing until her retirement at Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center with many of the years as charge nurse on the OB ward. She was a founding member of the Arkansas Valley Ocuvites Vision Support Group. Esther volunteered at CrossRoads MarketPlace, Arkansas Valley Hospice, Cancer Society, and Casa del Sol for many years. She loved to travel. Visitation will be Monday, January 25, 2021, from 10 – 11 a.m. at Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home 311 S Main Street Goshen, IN 46526. The service will be livestreamed at 11 a.m. Monday through the funeral home website, www.rrefh.com. Go to Esther’s tribute page and click on photos and videos. Memorial donations may be directed towards MCC or donor’s choice. Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home, Goshen, is handling arrangements and online condolences may be sent at www.rrefh.com