Wilbur R. Heslop, Jr., 102, died peacefully Thursday, September 13, 2018 at home. He was born July 16, 1916 in Martins Ferry, OH a son of the late Wilbur B. and Louise (Saunders) Heslop.

Wilbur graduated from Martins Ferry High School in 1934 as class president, College of Wooster in 1938 and the Cleveland College of Mortuary Science in 1940.

He began a long and rewarding career of serving the community while working with his father in the combined Heslop Funeral Home and Furniture Store. He became president of the Funeral Home in 1970 serving in that capacity until his son, R. Gregory, took over in 1998.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Martins Ferry having served as chairman of the administrative board, finance committee, and a founding member of the United Methodist Men. He was also a member of Ohio City Lodge #486 F. & A.M.; past president and member of the former Martins Ferry Kiwanis Club; past president for 25 years of the Belmont County Unit of the American Cancer Society; board member of the former Peoples Banking Company for 18 years; member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, Ohio Funeral Directors Assoc., and National Funeral Directors Assoc.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his first wife, Minerva (Froom) Heslop and his second wife, Sara Jo (Harth) Heslop, his brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Martha Heslop, his brothers-in-law; Charles C. Bennett, Sr., Kenneth Roethlisberger and Joseph H. Harth, his sister-in-law, Carolyn Bess and his son-in-law, Charles W. Dietlin.

Surviving are his children, Cindi L. Dietlin of Simsbury, CT, R. Gregory (Sandy) Heslop of Martins Ferry, and Heidi L. (Jeff) Burns of Powell, OH, sisters; Audrey Roethlisberger of Lima, OH and Jean Ann Bennett of Martins Ferry, sisters-in-law; Darlene (Tary) Bole of Ocala, FL and Maryanne Harth of Portland, OR, grandchildren; Darnas (Jon Furlong) Grimm of Upper Arlington, OH, Susan (Dan Kelley) Merjos of New York, NY, Robert Vavrina of Raleigh, NC and Dana (Geoff) Nehren of Holland, OH, great grandchildren; Kiersten and Tyler Grimm, Jacob and Travis Nehren, Rose Sara Merjos and Gigi and Jay Furlong and his beloved granddogs; Bailey, Taffy and Snickers.

A special thanks to Wib and Sara Jo’s caregivers; Linda Simpson, Dawn Frederick, Willa Wilkins, Chelsea Kennedy, Amy McEndree, Leslee Frazier, Mariah McGee and Linda Suriano.

Family and friends were received at Heslop Funeral Home, on Sunday, September 16 and a funeral service was held Monday, September 17, 2018 with Rev. Dr. Bill N. Lawrence officiating. Burial followed in Riverview Cemetery, Martins Ferry.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, 5555 Frantz Rd., Dublin, OH 43017.

 

Condolences to the family may be made by signing the online guest book.