Tombstone Tuesday–Rudolph & Nellie (Deyo) Heffner

Rudolph & Nellie (Deyo) Heffner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Rudolph & Nellie (Deyo) Heffner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Rudolph and Nellie (Deyo) Heffner, located in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

HEFFNER
Nellie
1885-1974
Rudolph
1886-1957

Christened Georg Rudolph Heffner, Rudolph was born 11 May 1886 in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, to Friedrich and Anna (Merkle) Heffner. According to Zion Chatt’s records his father was also born in Blackcreek Township and his mother was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He was baptized 6 June 1886, with his grandparents Georg and Sophie Heffner as sponsors.

Rudolph grew up in the Chatt area. In 1900, when he was 14, he lived with his family, Fr. [Friedrich], father, 38; Anna, mother, 28; and siblings Ebert, 12; Emma, 10; Herbert, 6; Oscar, 4; and Roman, 10 months. All were born in Ohio. His father Friedrich was a saloon keeper. [1]

Rudolph was confirmed at Zion Chatt on 31 March 1901 by Rev. R.V. Smith. [This surname was sometimes spelled Haeffner in some of the older church records.]

Rudolph Heffner married Nellie Deyo on 1 June 1907 in Adams County, Indiana. They were married by J.H. Stone. At the time of their marriage Rudolph was a farmer and lived in Chatt, likely with his parents. His father still worked in a saloon and his mother kept house. He signed his name as Rudy Heffner on his marriage license application. [2]

Nellie Deyo was born 5 October 1885 in Berne, Indiana, the daughter of William and Bettie (Biddle) Deyo. Nellie did housework at the time of their marriage. Her father was deceased and her mother was also a housekeeper. Nellie’s father was born in Ohio and her mother was born in Fleming County, Kentucky. [2]

In 1910 the Rudolph Heffner family lived on Leininger Pike in Blackcreek Township, where Rudolph farmed. In the household were Rudolph, Nellie, and son Luther R. [3]

In 1920 the Heffners were living in Liberty Township and in the household were Rudolph, 33, head; Ella, wife, 34, Luther, 11; Ruth, 7; and Lois, 10 months. All were born in Ohio except the mother Ella, who was born in Indiana. Rudolph’s occupation was given as a pumper in the oil field. [4]

In 1930 they lived in Chatt, where Rudolph still worked in the oil fields, then as an oil well driller. In the household were R.G., Nellie, Luther, Lois, Cleo, and Robert. [5]

In 1940 the family still resided in Chatt, living in the same house as they were in 1935. They owned their home and it was valued at $1500. The highest level of school that Rudolph attended was 8th grade and he worked as a mechanic in a garage at that time. Robert, age 16, was the only child still living at home. [6]

Rudolph Heffner died of a heart attack at 8 p.m. on 28 November 1957 in Decatur, Indiana. He was 71 years, 6 weeks, and 17 days old and was buried on 1 December. Survivors included his wife; sons Luther, Cleo, and Robert; a daughter Mrs. Morris Koch; a brother Vernon; a sister Mrs. Marguerite Roebuck; and 8 grandchildren.

Nellie Heffner died of pneumonia on 3 November 1974 at Shane Hill Nursing Home, near Rockford in Mercer County. She was 89 years old and was buried on the 6th. Survivors included her son Robert, Lima, and daughter Lois Koch, Rockford; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Rev. Ralph Hershberger was in charge of the service.

Rudolph G. and Nellie Heffner had the following children:
Luther Rudolph, (1908-1974), married Mary M. Hiles; married Florence Gunsett
Edna Ruth, (1912-1927)
Louise “Lois” Catherine, (1919-2007), married Morris Koch
Cleo Carl, (1921-1958)
Robert William, (1923-aft 2007), married Patricia

 

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 85, p. 10A, dwelling 183, family 188, Fr Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 December 2014); from FHL microfilm 1241304, from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1304.

[2] “Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959,” index and images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 5 December 2014), Rudolph George Heffner and Nellie Deyo; citing Adams County Marriage License Applications, Vol 2, p. 273, county clerk offices, Indiana; FHL microfilm 2,321,466.

[3] 1910 U.S. Census, Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 107, p1A, dwelling 3, family, Rudolph G. Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 December 2014); from FHL microfilm 1375227, from NARA microfilm T624, roll 1214.

[4] 1920 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 140, p.4A, dwelling 72, family 72, Rudolph Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.Ancestry.com : accessed 29 November 2014); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 1418.

[5] 1930 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 20, p.10A, dwelling 231, family 231, R.G. Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 December 2014); from FHL microfilm 2341584, from NARA microfilm T626, roll 1850.

[6] 1940 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 54-22, house 272, p. 14A, Rudolph Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 December 2014); from NARA microfilm T627, roll 3114.

3 comments

    • Karen Heffner Beekman on October 8, 2017 at 11:59 pm
    • Reply

    Can you tell me where you found the information that Luther Rudolph Heffner was married to Mary M. Hiles prior to marrying Florence Gunsett Heffner?

    1. Mercer County Marriages, Vol.13, p.230; 9 October 1928, Luther R Heffner, age 20, b.1908, from Chatt, s/o RG & Nellie (Deyl [sic]) Heffner, married Mary M Hiles, age 16, b. 1912, from Dublin Twp, d/o John & May (Custer) Hiles. Both sets of parents gave their consent since both parties were minors. You can view the marriage record on-line at FamilySeach.org. I hope this information helps. Thanks for reading!

        • Karen Heffner Beekman on October 9, 2017 at 10:05 pm
        • Reply

        Thank you. Karen

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