Last Updated on December 17, 2019 by Fisher Funeral Chapel
Paula Ann Heater, 65. of Logansport, passed away unexpectedly at 10:05 p.m. Saturday, December 14, 2019, in the emergency room of Memorial Hospital following two long years of enduring dialysis while waiting on the kidney transplant list.
Born December 22, 1953, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Paul Andrew and Dorothy (Kruger) Harvanek.
A 1972 graduate of Willoughby East High School in Ohio, Paula went on to earn her Bachelors of Science degree from Cleveland State University. She received her Master of Science degree from Kent State University and over the course of her career, she earned an additional 60+ hours in post-graduate education.
Paula moved to this area during the Blizzard of 1978 and joked that she never dug her way out. She met the love of her life, Joseph A. Heater, through mutual friends, and the couple were united in marriage on August 30, 1980, in the First United Methodist Church, Logansport.
From 1984 until her retirement in 2010, Paula worked as a teacher for the deaf and hearing-impaired through the Logansport Area Joint Special Services Corporation (LAJSSC) as well as working as an itinerant teacher in different co-ops throughout the region. Her work was very rewarding and she was proud to see her students excel.
Paula and Joe attended The Bridge Community Church. She enjoyed camping and online shopping which allowed her to finish all of her Christmas shopping in advance even though she was homebound. For over 25 years, Paula and Joe traveled to Mexico Beach in Florida – a place they loved so much – where her cremains will be buried at sea at a later date.
To emphasize the importance of organ and tissue donation, Paula – herself – wanted to be a donor. Even though her health had been so fragile, she was able to do just that as a tissue donor through the Donate Life Indiana Network.
Surviving with her husband of 39 years, Joseph A. Heater, Logansport, are two sons, Andy Heater, Minneapolis, MN, and Garth (Megan) Heater, of Indianapolis; her mother-in-law, Lois Heater, Star City; and two sisters, Heidi Jackson, Yardley, PA and Kathy Berlan, Cleveland, OH.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, David Grady.
A Celebration of Life is planned and will be announced in the Spring of 2020.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the The Bridge Community Church, 301 East Linden Ave., Logansport, IN 46947.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Fisher Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services.
You may share memories and condolences on Paula’s Tribute Wall at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com