Rodney G. Heath

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Rodney G. Heath, 64, 511 W. Sycamore St., Ridgway, was surrounded by family as he went to a more restful home after fighting a hard battle of pneumonia. He went to sleep peacefully at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.

Rodney was born Aug. 25, 1945, in Eldorado. He married Sharon Jones on Oct. 3, 1964.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Rodney was a member of the Ridgway Masonic Lodge No. 816 and Ridgway American Legion Post No. 596. He loved life and his many friends. Rodney was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Heath of Ridgway; two sons, Shane (Melissa) Heath and Chris Heath, both of Ridgway; sister, Margaret and Clint Penfold of Boise, Idaho; brother, Ray and Tomoko Schmitt of Bend, Ore.; and three grandchildren, Jeffery, Jonathon and Parker Heath.

Rodney was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Hilda (Rister) Schmitt; father, Grant Heath; stepfather, Cletus J. Schmitt; and stepmother, Naomi Jean Heath.

Visitation for Rodney will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., with Masonic rites at 7 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway. Funeral service will be at the funeral home at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, with the Rev. Rob Gallion officiating. Burial will be at the Union Ridge Cemetery near New Haven with military rites by Ridgway Legion Post No. 596. Internet condolences for Rodney may be made at the Internet site www.vickeryfuneralchapel.com.