Obituaries

Lima, OH
Natalie Gregg Heil, age 98, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2023, at 9:20 pm, at her residence with her daughter by her side. Natalie was born March 9, 1925, in Lima, OH, to Roy B. and Hazel W. (West) Gregg who preceded her in death. On October 18, 1947, she married Robert F. Heil who preceded her in death on April 11, 2013.
Natalie is survived by her children: Robert "Gregg" (DeDe) Heil of St. Louis, MO, Tim (Melanie) Heil of Columbus, OH, Ann (Matt) Matrka of Columbus, OH and David (Christina) Heil of Grand Lake, CO, 8 grandchildren: Abigail (Jamie) Drew, Rachel (Mike) Dorman, Robert Heil, William Heil, Mollie Heil, Hannah Heil, Ben Heil and Tad Heil and a great grandson, Eamon Gregg Dorman and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Thomas (Jane) Gregg, Mary Jane (Frank) Love and Priscilla (Tom) Tuttle, a brother in-law, Gene Heil and a sister in-law, Nan Roess.
Natalie was a 1943 graduate of Lima Central High School. She then attended Northwestern University where she earned a Bachelor's degree. After she and her husband married, they built their home on Adgate Rd. that they lived in for 60 years and shared with German Shepherds, horses, a Siamese cat and their children. Natalie was a pioneer in the sense that she was raising her children, taking care of her family and was working as a teacher all while she was also going to college. The feminist movement, as she stated, "set her on fire"! During this time is when she went back to college and attended Wright State University where she earned a Master's degree in Educational Media. She started her career with Shawnee Schools where she had worked as a teacher and librarian and retired after 30 years of service. After becoming restless in her retirement, Natalie took a position with the Lima Public Library of which she worked for 10 years. Natalie was a 70 year member of Market St. Presbyterian Church where she was considered to be one of the pillars of the church. She was also a member of the Delphian Club and charter member of the United Cerebral Palsy Association which benefited pre-school children with various disabilities and they could received services. This grew to become the Children's Development Center at Lima Memorial Health System. Natalie had volunteered with various organizations but her main focus was with Market Street Presbyterian Church and the United Cerebral Palsy Association. Some of her interests were reading, tennis, sewing, knitting, gardening and beach vacations.
There will be a memorial service held at the Market Street Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 12:30 pm where friends may visit from 11:00 am until the time of the service. Burial of cremated remains will be held privately at a later date in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Market Street Presbyterian Church , Lima Public Library or Mercy Health-St. Rita's Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff and caregivers at both Primrose and St. Rita's Hospice.