Leola Mary Heath

Leola M. Heath, 87, of Stanley, Iowa, died peacefully on Sunday morning, September 10, 2023, at ABCM West Care Center in Independence.

Funeral Service: 10:00 A.M. Friday, September 15, 2023, Stanley Union Church, Stanley, Iowa with Pastor Philip Rownd officiating.

Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein and for one hour before the service at the church on Friday.

Memorials are for the Stanley Union Church and the Stanley Fire Department & EMS.

Interment: Hazleton (Fontana) Cemetery, Hazleton, Iowa.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Leola Mary Davis was born January 15, 1936, southeast of Hazleton, Iowa, the daughter of Newell Oscar & Buella Mary (Spragg) Davis. She attended country school for one year and then went to Stanley Consolidated School, graduating as valedictorian of the class of 1953. Leola was united in marriage to William Arthur Heath on November 8, 1953 at the Stanley Methodist Church. They were blessed with five sons. Leola worked at Wapsi Valley Feeds in Independence. Leola and Bill operated an upholstery business for several years. Leola worked as a part-time custodian for 30 years and in food service for 25 years at the Stanley and Oelwein schools, retiring in 1999.

Leola was a member of the Methodist Church and the Stanley Union Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher and in several offices. She was also a member and officer of the Stanley Community Club where she cleaned and rented the hall for many years. Leola enjoyed camping, baking, playing cards and sudoku. She was an avid sports fan, often watching television and listening to the radio at the same time to cheer on her teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, UNI Panthers and the Chicago Cubs.

Leola is survived by her 5 Sons: Leon Heath of Rockwall, Texas, Ronald Heath of Waterloo, Kenneth (Colleen) Heath of Stockton, Illinois, Steven Heath of Cherokee & Charles Heath of Rogersville, Missouri; 10 Grandchildren; 21 Great Grandchildren; 2 Sisters: Laura VanHeiden of Mason City & Kathleen Gorski of Vinton; 2 Brothers: Harvey (Mary) Davis of Hazleton & Alan (Francine) Davis of St. Charles, Missouri; Brother-in-law: Dale Stackhouse of Galesburg, Illinois and several Nieces & Nephews.

Leola was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Bill on April 25, 2008, daughter-in-law: Lori Heath, 2 sisters: Mildred (Jim) Bradley and Olive Stackhouse and in-laws: Paul (Mildred) Heath and Hazel (Laverne) Short.