Obituaries

Jeannette Heltzel, 97, of Rochester

Jeannette Heltzel, 97, of Rochester passed away at 9:37 AM on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Wynnfield Crossing.

 

On October 12, 1923, twins Jeannette and Julia were born in Miami County's Perry Township. They were the precious daughters of Earl and Bertha Penrod. They were so small their parents put them in the same bureau drawer to sleep. Growing up Jeannette helped her father with the cows and the farm. In 1942, Jeannette graduated from Gilead High School. After graduation Jeannette became a telephone operator for Rochester Telephone Company.

 

In Morgantown, Jeannette married the love of her life Gordon E. Heltzel on October 23, 1953. They shared 54 years of life’s adventures. The Heltzel family moved to Rochester in 1978 from Akron.

 

Jeannette and Gordon found joy in traveling. Some of their favorite destinations include, Canada, Mexico, Cancun. They enjoyed having friends over for an evening of euchre or pinochle.

 

Jeannette was a devoted member of Akron Church of God. She was an avid reader who enjoyed reading biographies. She was an accomplished pie baker, baking the most amazing hot blueberry pies fresh from her oven. She would always make fruit pies and freeze them to send home with her grandson so he could have fresh baked pie.

 

Left to cherish Jeannette's memory are: a grandson Gordon Michael Heltzel of Vancouver, British Columbia; daughter-in-law Shirley Zumstein of Floyd Knobs; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Her Wynnfield caregivers had a special place in her heart for all of their friendship over the last 15 years. Especially close to Jeannette during the last year is her nephew Steve, who took over duties when her daughter no longer could.

 

Preceding Jeannette in death are her parents Earl and Bertha Penrod, beloved husband Gordon, her twin sister, Julia Chaddock, daughter Kelly Heltzel, two sons, Kevin in infancy and Michael Gordon Heltzel.

 

A celebration of the life of Jeannette Heltzel will be at 1:00PM on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Akron Cemetery. Memorials may be made to D.A.V. 815 Main St., Rochester, IN 46975. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.

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