Matilda "Tillie" Virginia Heavilin

Matilda Virginia Heavilin died January 29, 2025 at her home, rural Cadiz.

She was born in Adamstown, Maryland on November 19, 1930, The daughter of Blair Sumner and Susan Virginia Wenner Titus. She graduated from Frederick High School and Towson State Teacher’s College with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education. In 1982, she received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Ohio University.

She married Eugene Vincent Heavilin on August 5, 1951. They resided on their farm in Nottingham Township. She taught first grade at Cadiz for two years and served as Homebound Instructor for seven years. When classes were established at Ourant One-Room School she served there for 21 years.

She is survived by sons Blair Eugene (Carol) and Brent Park (Melissa) and eight grandchildren: Nichole (Chris) Thomas, Bruce (Sherry) Heavilin, Claire (Sam) Murral, Brian (Ashley) Heavilin, Stuart (Tara) Heavilin, Wayne (Hilary) Heavilin, Alex (Kristen) Heavilin and Clint Heavilin.

Great Grandchildren are Bryce and Danica Ceculski, Shaylee Heavilin, Twylah Sansoucie, Kathleen, McKayla and Piper Heavilin, Sarah and Graydon Murral, Henry and Sybil Heavilin , Lindsay and Rebecca Heavilin and Millie Heavilin, and 3 great-great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Brooke Virginia and her husband Dr. Timothy Holbrook, great granddaughter Rose and special friend Ray Johnston.

A 63 year devoted member of Pleasant Valley Church, she served as organist, lay leader, board chairman, altar flower provider, WSCS member and Sunday school teacher. 

She was a certified Methodist lay speaker for 55 years, named lay speaker of the year in both St. Clairsville and Ohio Valley Districts.

She was a lifetime member of the Harrison County Historical Society. As a 4H advisor for 71 years, she was affiliated with three clubs, Brushy Fork Stitchers and Mixers, County Conservation and Green Valley and served a number of years as an Election Board Official, on the Extension Advisory Committee, the 4-H Committee, Harrison County Beautification Committee and others involving Extension activities. She was a 55 year member of the Brushy Fork Homemakers Club and Tappan Lake Red Hats. A supervisor for the Harrison Soil and Water Conservation District for 42 years and the Ourant School Memorial Association for 21 years. Teaching at the second grade classes school resulting in an honorary membership in the Harrison County Retired Teachers Association. She also served on the Ohio University Eastern Campus Regional Coordinating Council for 21 years. A Eugene and Matilda Heavilin Family Scholarship was established for Harrison County students wishing to attend Ohio University.

Awards include: A National Wildlife and Fisheries winner with a trip to Boston, 4-H Salute to Excellence Delegate at Washington D.C., Ohio Cooperative Extension Agents Association Award, Cadiz Lions Club Citizen of the Year, Cadiz Woman’s Civic Club Community Service Award, Harrison County Regional Chamber of Commerce Award for Community Service, Ohio State 4-H Alumni Award, Harrison Soil and Water Conservation District Award of Appreciation for unwavering Dedication of 42 years.

In 2002 Eugene and Matilda, long time members, were honored with the Harrison County Ohio Farm Bureau Hall of Fame Award. They also received the Ohio Century Farm Award.

Calling hours will be Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.at Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, 172 South Main Street, Cadiz and Monday February 3, from 11:00 a.m. until time of her funeral service at 12:00 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Church, 35500 Cadiz-Dennison Road, Scio, Ohio 43988 with Pastor Michael Cunnigham, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Patterson Union Cemetery, Deersville, Ohio. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Ohio University, c/o Eugene and Matilda Heavilin Family Scholarship Endowment, PO Box 869, Athens, Ohio 45701 ; Pleasant Valley Church, P.O. Box 43, Cadiz, Ohio 43907 or Ourant School Scholarship Fund, c/o Nellie Erow, 425 East Warren Street, Cadiz, Ohio 43907.

The memorial guestbook may be signed at www.clark-kirkland-barr.com.