Heather A. Immel

Heather A. Immel, age 66, of Dover, passed away Saturday, December 9, 2023, in Community Hospice Truman House, New Philadelphia, with her loving family by her side.  She had been diagnosed three short weeks ago with an inoperable brain tumor.

Born September 3, 1957, in Dover, Heather was one of twin daughters born to the late Roger W. and Joy A. (Thompson) Immel. Heather attended Dover High School where she played the flute and piccolo, and was a majorette along with her twin sister, Holli. In 1975, Heather was involved in a terrible automobile accident, and it was thought that she might not speak or walk again - but,  with the help of family, teachers, and friends, along with great determination and hard work, she was able to graduate from Dover in 1976 and go on to lead a normal, productive and independent life. Thirty-four years ago, Heather met Bob (or as Heather affectionately called him, “Bobby”) Gibbs, and the two grew to be life-companions, sharing the same interests and doing nearly everything together.  Heather was employed in the office of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Dover, and had previously worked at Dover Station for many years.

Probably most importantly, Heather was about love and happiness. She had a wonderful smile, loved to laugh, and was able to see beauty and good in even the smallest of things. Heather was a very positive and thankful person, always trying to brighten the days of others, thanking the person several times for what they had done, or simply inquiring about their day and kindly ending the conversation with, “Now take care of yourself."

Heather was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ. She loved music and was part of St. John’s Chancel Choir. Heather also belonged to the Dover Alumni Band (where she met Bob), the Dominic Greco Band, the Coshocton Community Band, and the Walhonding Rube Band. She always enjoyed going out to eat – and, along with Bob, travelled to and enjoyed numerous automobile club events.

Heather will be dearly missed by her companion, Bob; her sister Holli (Jim) Immel-Keener of Dover; her brother, Shaun (Jennifer) Immel, also of Dover; her nieces, Maddie (Jon) Baer, Rachel and Evelyn Immel; her nephew, Zachary Immel; her aunt, Maxine Gerber; and her uncle, Max Immel.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, on Thursday, December 14, 4 – 6 p.m., and at St. John’s United Church of Christ on Friday, December 15, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. A funeral service will be held Friday at 12 p.m. in the church; Pastor Dotty Hartzell will officiate. Burial will be in the Union Hill Cemetery, Sugarcreek. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Heather, please visit the Obituaries link on the Toland-Herzig website.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests that contributions in Heather’s memory be made to St. John’s U.C.C., 409 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, OH 44622, or to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, OH 44663.