Jay G. Heath

COLUMBUS

Jay G. Heath, 80, a resident of Columbus, Indiana, passed from this life at 4:37p.m. Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.

Mr. Heath was born in Columbus, November 17, 1941, the loving son of the late John W. and Mary Elizabeth Lamb Heath. On July 24, 1965, Jay married Annette K. Fleming; she survives.

Mr. Heath was a U.S. Air Force veteran where he served primarily with a Titan II missile squadron in California. He was honorably discharged February 10, 1964.

Mr. Heath was a longtime educator at Columbus North High School; he taught building trades, drivers’ education, special education and directed the Prevocational Education Program. He loved working on his Christmas tree farm, Heath Family Tree Farms.

Mr. Heath was a faithful member of the White Creek United Methodist Church, a member of the Farm Bureau Board, and the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association. He was a 38 year member of the Masonic Fraternity, having joined St. John’s Lodge No. 20 on January 27, 1983, where he served as Worshipful Master in 2006. His other Masonic affiliations included: 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason – Valley of Indianapolis. Murat Shrine – Indianapolis. He was also a past president of the Bartholomew County Shrine Club as well as a past president of the Columbus High Twelve Club No. 337.

Mr. Heath enjoyed fishing, Nascar and Indy car racing, tinkering, and giving treats to his faithful furry companions. His favorite pastime, however, was socializing over ice cream at the downtown Dairy Queen.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, Annette Heath; children, Karyn “Casey” (Scott) DePriest of Newburgh, Indiana, Dan Heath of Columbus, and George Heath of Evansville, Indiana; grandchildren, Madelyn and Jacob DePriest of Newburgh, Indiana; 3 nieces, 8 nephews; and special friend of the family, Chasyti VanHoosier of Columbus.

Mr. Heath was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Elizabeth Heath and his sister, Constance McDonald.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 28, 2022, at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street; Pastor Jerry Roberts will officiate. A live stream of the funeral service may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.

Family and friends may gather for visitation from 4-7 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Friday. A Masonic memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday by members of St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 20.

Mr. Heath will be laid to rest at the White Creek United Methodist Church Cemetery. Full military rites will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to White Creek United Methodist Church, Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, or Optimal Rhythms / ACCESS Academy (optimalrhythms.org).

Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com.