Gary W. Heater, 68, of Defiance, passed away Saturday, May 23, 2020 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. Gary was born on September 21, 1951 in Hicksville, Ohio to the late William and Phyllis JoAnn (Knisley) Heater of Sherwood, Ohio. Gary graduated from Fairview High School in 1969 and served in the United States Army for two years.

Gary married Ann (Thomas) Heater on October 3, 1970. He has owned and operated Carter Avenue Apartments and Storage in Defiance for 25 years. He also worked for 33 years at John Manville. After retiring in 2000, he opened Carpet Wholesalers Flooring stores in Defiance, Bryan, Napoleon, and Van Wert. Gary was a member of Sherwood Methodist Church, Sherwood VFW, and Ney American Legion. He also was an avid Ohio State fan, and enjoyed watching the games with his best friend, Jeff Oberlin.

Gary leaves behind his wife Ann of 49 years, a daughter, Amy Elizabeth (Scott) Heater of Ney, OH, three grandsons that were his pride and joy; William Reilly, Nathan, and Easton, his sister, Mary (Tim) Sibert of Paulding, two brothers, Bruce (John) of Harlingen, Texas, and Larry (Lori) of Sherwood, OH, and his father-in-law, Robert Thomas of Defiance. Visitation will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, May 29, 2020 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Defiance.. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm, while following social distancing, at the church, with Rev. David Brobston officiating or can be watched at Facebook through St. Paul Lutheran Church with military rites accorded by VFW #3360. Burial will take place at a later date at Riverside Cemetery,

Schaffer Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Memorials are suggested to CHP Defiance Area Hospice Center. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.