Virginia M. Heckathorn, 92, of the Oil City area and formerly of York, South Carolina, went home to the Lord Thursday morning, April 21, 2016 at Oakwood Heights in Oil City. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be greatly missed by her family.

She was born in Snydersburg, PA on May 23, 1923 to the late Andrew and Martha (Hartle) Smerker.

She attended schools in both Oil City and Rouseville.

Mrs. Heckathorn was of the Catholic faith and attended St. Venantius in Rouseville as a child, and later at St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church in Oil City throughout her adult years.

One of Virginia's greatest loves was animals. Besides raising goats, geese, ducks and chickens during her lifetime, she always had several dogs, cats, birds, and fish as her pets. For many years, she enjoyed breeding and grooming poodles. During her younger years, she loved to square dance and go camping with her family at local campgrounds. She was a former member of the Shin-Diggers Square Dance club.

Virginia participated in a number of foot races and fun runs, winning several awards, even into her later years. She was also very involved in ceramics in her younger years, creating many beautiful pieces for her family to treasure. She loved growing plants and flowers, gardening, and being outdoors. While a resident at the Golden Living Center in Oil City, she especially enjoyed listening to music and dancing; and was voted Prom Queen there several times.

She worked for many years as a waitress at local restaurants. The job that she enjoyed and was most proud of was being a people-greeter at Wal-Mart in South Carolina where she moved in 1991. She was especially proud when she received her 5 Year certificate as a Wal-Mart associate in 2004 at the age of 81!

Virginia was first married to Raymond G. Hoover on November 26, 1940 at St. Venantius Church in Rouseville; and he preceded her in death on April 6, 1963. She later married Donald E. Heckathorn on August 17, 1965 in Buffalo, New York; and he preceded her in death on May 22, 2004.

Surviving are three sons, Richard Hoover (Linda) of Rock Hill, S. Carolina, John Hoover of Franklin, and Thomas Hoover of Charlotte, N. Carolina; four daughters, Nanette Wilson (Pat) of Rockland, Kathy Johnson of York, S. Carolina and Oil City, Mary Sweeney (Bruce) of Oil City, and Rita Nolte(Randy) of Oil City; three step-children, Ann Mathews (Ron) of Cranberry, Donna Douglass (Dan) of California, and Walter "Jake" Heckathorn (Lynn) of Oil City.

Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren: Patty Yeager, Richard Hoover, Joseph Hoover, Daniel Hoover, Denise McMahon, Eric Seniour, Richard Johnson, Chris Johnson, Adam Sweeney, Ryan Sweeney, Jessica Beshaw, Alicia Kulinski, Sheena Hoover, and Jason Hartzell, numerous great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Seven step-grandchildren include Michelle Show, Kelly Debald, Angela Hicks, Gary Mayhorn, Walter "J.J.", Bradley, and Donald "D.J." Heckathorn, and numerous step-great-grandchildren.

She will be fondly remembered by her former daughter-in-law, Mary Hoover. Virginia will be missed by many special friends and caregivers at the Golden Living Center, where she made her home for five and half years. Her family is forever grateful for the loving care that she received there. She also leaves behind many special caregivers at Oakwood Heights where she made her home from February, 2016 until her death. No words can ever describe her family's gratitude for all they did to keep her safe, comfortable, and loved.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Raymond Hoover; her foster brother, John Scott (also known as Jimmy Smerker), who was killed in the Korean War; an infant sister, Shirley May Smerker; two great-granddaughters, Casey McMahon and Lindi Seniour; a step-great-granddaughter, Alena Show; and two sons-in-law, Jerry Groner and Rick Johnson.

Friends and family will be received Monday (April 25th) from 2 - 4 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc., 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township, where the funeral service will follow Monday at 4 p.m. The Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, pastor of St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, will officiate.

Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry.

Her family was thrilled when she celebrated her 90th birthday, but even more amazed when they celebrated her 92nd! Even when Alzheimer's disease robbed her of her memory, it didn't steal her strong will to live, nor her sense of humor. Her family will forever cherish the many times that she made them laugh with her words and her actions.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633; or donate online at www.alz.org

To express condolences to the family online, please visit www.hilebest.com

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