Marion Mickey Clay Heestand

Marion Mickey Clay Heestand, 70, of Salem, died at 7:45 PM Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at home surrounded by his family.

He was born on July 30, 1953 in Salem, the son of the late Marion Clay and Betty Jane (Shores) Heestand.

Mickey was a lifetime area resident and a 1971 graduate of Salem High School. He went on to Youngstown State University and graduated in 1975. This was the beginning of a very long and successful career as a Mechanical Engineer. He was employed at Union Carbide, E.W. Bliss, GM Lordstown (Fisher Body), and for the last 38 years at Hunt Valve where he retired from last month. Mickey had numerous titles during his career at Hunt and had worked up to Vice President Senior Mechanical Engineer at one point. He had received numerous certifications in his field of work. He authored articles that were published within the industry. He was a true born leader in his field as well as in life.

Mickey had many hobbies and projects he did over his life. He rebuilt a 1931 Model A while still in high school, as well as other cars, boats and anything else that he could improve. His John Deere 2010 Backhoe rebuild was one very important and useful to him. He used it to work on clearing the land to build his home and pond as well as other property improvements. Mickey also had his own crop hobby farm years ago. He always had a project going or was researching on how to build, fix or improve an item.

It was always special to his heart to hear of the events of his children. His quiet times were found walking on the Greenway Trail looking at the trilliums in bloom. Mickey studied and found enjoyment in how old barns and covered bridges were built years ago. His home made it a wonderful place to sit and enjoy nature. He often sent pictures to family and friends of the animals and nature's beauty on the property.

He had been a former member of the Salem First Christian Church where he had been an Elder and Sunday School Teacher. He also had strong ties to the First Community Church of Leavittsburg where he and his wife were married.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Ann (Feidler) Heestand whom he married on October 28, 1995, his children; Benjamin James Heestand of Youngstown and Holly Ann Heestand of Salem, brothers; Daryl (Amy) Heestand of Rural Hall, NC and Kenneth (Robin) Heestand of Salem.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death on November 26, 1994, by his first wife, Mary Lou (Gerbert) Heestand.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, 3 PM at the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services, Salem by Pastors John Jaros and Rod Winyard of First Community Church. A time of visitation will be on Friday from 5-7 PM and one hour prior to the services on Saturday.

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