Jeri Ann Hirtzel (Heath), age 100, passed away on January 23, 2025. She was born on Nov. 8,1924 in a remote part of Lee County, Kentucky. Her family moved to Indianapolis when she was two years old and endured tough times during the Great Depression. She graduated from Arsenal Technical HS in 1942 and the same year married Jerry Martin Hirtzel. They had six children and were married for 69 years until Jerry’s death in 2011.
She is survived by her children: Cynthia Hirtzel of Hubbard, Ohio; Randy (wife Barbara) Hirtzel, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Bradley (wife Darlene) Hirtzel of Whitesville, KY.; and Debbie Hirtzel of Noblesville, IN.; 5 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. Also survived by her sister, Rosie Shelby. She is preceded in death by two sons, Mike and David; and four brothers: Cecil, Eugene, Delbert, and Kenneth. Jeri Ann loved her large family, and her home on Washington Blvd, where she lived for 72 years. She had a great knowledge of plants.
Her house and yard were filled with flowers. She had fun growing huge elephant-ear plants and raising exotic “stinky plants” whose blossoms smelled like a barnyard. She loved to read, and amassed a large library of books. When you said you loved her, she’d get a twinkle in her eyes, smile, and say, “I love you more.” Online condolences maybe offered at Usherfuneralhome.com. No services are planned at her request.
Obit ran at courtesy of Enterprise.
