Marine Pfc. James Heath, 1936 - 1956

HEATH, PING

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/17/2023 at 05:19:20

The Anthon Herald
4 July 1956

Marine Pfc. James Heath, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Heath of Anthon, was killed in an automobile accident in California Friday night. The family received word of the tragedy Saturday morning. Also in the car at the time of the accident were Heath's sister, Delores, who was visiting her brothers in California, and William Collins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Collins of Anthon.

Collins had just been discharged from the service. Neither Miss Heath nor Mr. Collins was injured seriously. Young Heath was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Anthon with Rev. A. Conlon officiating. Burial will be in Mount St. Joseph Cemetery here under direction of Hudgel Funeral Home. Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by McNiff Post of American Legion.

The body was scheduled to leave Los Angeles this morning by train accompanied by military escort, and to arrive in Omaha Friday. Driving through from California are Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Heath and Mr. and Mrs. Donald Heath of Santa Ana, California, and Delores Heath and William Collins.

Heath was born November 26, 1936, at Anthon. He graduated from the Oto High School in 1955 and entered the service in June 1955.

Survivors besides his parents are seven brothers, Kenneth and Donald of Santa Ana, California, John of Sac City, Richard of Sioux City, Ronald, Dennis and Francis at home, five sisters, Mrs. Lila Niefert of Sioux City, Mrs. Norma Hoffman of Stickney, South Dakota, Mrs. LouAnn Arnold of Pierson, Delores and Darlene at home, and maternal grandmother, Mrs. Chester Ping of Sioux City.

A sister, Bonnie May, died in infancy.