Obituary for Marilyn Nearhoof
Marilyn Heilman Nearhoof passed away on January 3, 2024. She was born in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, on November 4, 1945, the daughter of the late Alice Livengood Heilman and Herbert C. Heilman of Ford City, Pennsylvania. On August 20, 1966, she married the love of her life Elmer Nearhoof in the Ford City Baptist Church. Along with her husband, Lynne is survived by her two daughters: Sharon Nearhoof of Phoenix, Arizona, and Amy Nearhoof of Warriors Mark; granddaughters Eva Toth, Clara May, and Scarlet Toth; brothers Wesley (Patricia) Heilman of Timonium, Maryland and Willard (Sue) Heilman of Fort Mill, South Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lynne was a 1963 graduate of Ford City High School and a 1966 graduate of Clarion State College with a B.S. in Library Science. After working as an elementary school librarian in the Palmyra, PA school district and substitute teacher while raising her children, she became the Director of the Tyrone Snyder Public Library, leading it through two building moves and digitization of its catalog and providing a wide variety of services and programs for the community. Upon her retirement in 2007, she was awarded with official Congratulations from the Pennsylvania State Senate and a Citation from the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives honoring her 28 years of public service.
She was a lifelong learner, studying religion and genealogy, and a voracious reader. She loved animals, staying up late giggling with her girls, motorcycle rides and eating at Chill and Grill with her husband, and serving her church and community. She was the definition of patience and love and will be deeply missed by all who loved her.
Private services will be held at a later date. The family requests that those who are so inclined donate in Marilyn’s name to the Dementia Society of America (www.dementiasociety.org/donate) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (http://www.stjude.org/donate). Arrangements are under the care of Richard H. Searer Funeral Home, Inc.
Lynne was a 1963 graduate of Ford City High School and a 1966 graduate of Clarion State College with a B.S. in Library Science. After working as an elementary school librarian in the Palmyra, PA school district and substitute teacher while raising her children, she became the Director of the Tyrone Snyder Public Library, leading it through two building moves and digitization of its catalog and providing a wide variety of services and programs for the community. Upon her retirement in 2007, she was awarded with official Congratulations from the Pennsylvania State Senate and a Citation from the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives honoring her 28 years of public service.
She was a lifelong learner, studying religion and genealogy, and a voracious reader. She loved animals, staying up late giggling with her girls, motorcycle rides and eating at Chill and Grill with her husband, and serving her church and community. She was the definition of patience and love and will be deeply missed by all who loved her.
Private services will be held at a later date. The family requests that those who are so inclined donate in Marilyn’s name to the Dementia Society of America (www.dementiasociety.org/donate) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (http://www.stjude.org/donate). Arrangements are under the care of Richard H. Searer Funeral Home, Inc.