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Patricia “Pat” L. Heyde, of Warsaw, passed away at 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Miller’s Merry Manor of Warsaw. She lived a wonderful and full life, and after 93 years on this Earth, Pat is celebrating Christmas in Heaven.
She was born on Feb. 7, 1930, in Rochester, to Dorothy Herd and Milton E. Leckrone. At the young age of 19, Pat married the love of her life, Russell L. Heyde, on Sept. 4, 1949. The young bride and groom continued with their educations, Russell graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry and Pat earned her teaching degree in Home Economics. For 11 years she taught hundreds of student’s lifelong skills as a home economics teacher at Warsaw Community High School.
Her favorite job was simply being Mom, and she and Russell were blessed with raising five children, later experiencing the joy of becoming grandparents and great-grandparents. Pat and Russell celebrated almost 61 years of marriage together before Dr. Heyde passed away on Aug. 26, 2010.
Pat was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Warsaw. Throughout her life, she supported her family in all of their endeavors. She participated in dental mission trips to Honduras, Mexico and Haiti alongside her husband. Pat always kept busy, if she didn’t have a book in her hands reading, she would be working away on one of her knitting projects. Her years as a home economics teacher benefited her family from her skills as a seamstress to being a wonderful cook.
Pat will forever be loved and remembered as a wonderful mother, loving grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many.
She will be lovingly remembered by her four children: Rebecca A. (Edgar) Schaefer, Fort Wayne; Lee L. (Dianne) Heyde, Warsaw; Jane L. (Dan) Coplen, Warsaw; and Ann M. Harman, Warsaw. Also surviving are her daughter-in-law, Cristi L. Heyde, Greenwood; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, son, Bruce L. Heyde; son-in-law, John S. Harman; sister, Betty A. Sparks; and nephew, David Sparks.
Pat’s life will be celebrated with a service at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Preferred memorial donations can be made to the following and would be appreciated by her family: Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707-3392; to the Parkview Warsaw YMCA, 1305 Mariners Drive, Warsaw, IN 46582; or to Trinity United Methodist Church, 832 E. Center St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
