Heather Elaine Ross, Claypool, passed away Sept. 26, 2017, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. 

Heather was born on Jan. 16, 1972 to Donald and Janet Imel in Portsmouth, Va. On April 4, 2003 she married Thomas Ross in Warsaw. 

She is survived by Thomas and their two sons Andrew and Aaron (Claypool), her parents Donald and Janet Imel, Pierceton, her brother Shawn Imel and his friend Traci Lehman as well as Heather’s Niece Raegan Imel, Fort Wayne, mother-in-law Cheryll Ross, Glenwood, Iowa, brother-in-law Timothy Ross and spouse Ellen, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and sister-in-law Theresa Ross, Omaha, Neb. 

Heather graduated from Homestead High School in Fort Wayne and the University of Evansville before receiving her Master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois. She worked as an exercise physiologist at the KCH Health and Wellness Center, and DePuy.  After the birth of her children she worked as an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay as well as site coordinator at Claypool Elementary for the YMCA Kids Club program.

Heather’s strong desire to help others led her to be involved in numerous community groups and fundraisers including: Board of Education President for Sacred Heart School, Sacred Heart Church Parish Council, Secretary for the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Tri Kappa, Co-founder and Co-coordinator for the annual “Purses with purpose” fundraiser, Ambassador for the Mary Kay Foundation, Sacred Heart HASA next big event, Kids Market, and Christmas shop for Cure JM.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw with a Prayer Service at 7:15 p.m. in the Funeral Chapel. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Warsaw, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, with Father Phillip DeVolder officiating. Interment will be private.

Memorials are suggested to:  Cure JM Foundation 836 Lynwood Dr. Encinitas, CA 92024, Mary Kay Foundation P.O. Box 799044 Dallas, TX 75379-9044, and for lake enhancement of the Chapman Lakes thorough donations to the Chapman Lakes Conservation Association or Chapman Lakes Foundation P.O. Box 387 Leesburg, IN 46538

To sign the guest register or leave condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com