Mary H. Heron

Mary Heron, 98 of Tipton died peacefully at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 3, 1920 in Tipton County to Harriett & Verl Hershman.  Mary married Robert “Bob” Heron on March 26, 1940 and he preceded her in death on November 23, 1997.  The couple enjoyed 57 years of marriage.

She attended Beech Grove Elementary School and Tipton High School.  Mary also attended one year of nursing school at Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago before moving back to Tipton after marrying Robert to help care for her ailing father-in-law.  The next twenty years were spent working hard as a farmwife, helping with livestock and raising the family.

When her mother approached retirement age, Mary took over operation of the family business, Tipton County Abstract Company.  She retired from Tipton County Abstract Company at age 70, after which she and Bob enjoyed several years traveling around various states to Thousand Trails Campgrounds, staying in warmer climates during winter months.  They enjoyed visiting friends and relatives in other states also.  The couple travels around the sates and a few trips to Europe provided many fond memories.  In 1996, Mary and Bob were able to purchase the property of Mary’s childhood home in Tipton.  Bob and Mary had the old house torn down and a new smaller retirement house built for the couple to live in.  The couple was able to move into the new house shortly before Bob’s death in 1997.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir and serving on many committees.  Mary was 6 year member of 4-H and a 4-H leader in Madison Township.  She was a member and past President of Tri Kappa.  She compiled and filed the paperwork to have the Tipton County Courthouse, Sheriff’s Residence, and original Tipton County Jail to be put on the National Register of Historical Places.

Mary is survived by four children, Helen Tragesser, Tipton, Phil Heron and wife Martha, Tipton, Liz Griffin and husband Larry, Tipton, Dick Heron and wife Sue, Danville, California; eight grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren with another on the way.  She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Sue Heron and a brother, John C. Hershman.

Funeral services for Mary will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 17 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Pastor Mae Leach presiding. Entombment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Tipton.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service on Saturday.

Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Jefferson Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.