Virginia "Ginny" Hefflinger

The long and joyous life of Virginia "Ginny" Hefflinger came to an end when she passed away in the home of her son and daughter-in-law on Saturday morning at the age of 98 to be with her Lord and Savior.

Born on Aug. 12, 1926 in LaPorte, Ind., the only daughter of Orval and Leona (Kessler) Bowers, she spent her early childhood years living on a farm in LaPorte before moving to Defiance where she attended St. John Lutheran School through eighth grade. She went on to graduate from Defiance High School in 1944, believed to be one of the last two living members of her class. She then graduated from Fort Wayne International Business College.

Ginny worked as business manager and secretary at Phillips Plating in Defiance for 18 years. She went on to become a preschool teacher, beginning with Jane Boehm in her home before going on to finish out her teaching career at Ark Preschool, retiring at the age of 82.

On June 27, 1948 she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Charles Hefflinger. They were married for 42 years before he passed away in 1990.

Family and faith were most important to Ginny during her 98-plus years on earth. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren doing special things like reading, playing games or watching them participate in activities, especially baseball and football games and choir shows. Family vacations, going camping or traveling, highlighted by two trips to Hawaii, were among her favorite memories. She was a big fan of the Indians, Browns, Cavs and Buckeyes as well as the Defiance Bulldogs. She was a DHS football season ticket holder for 50 years and also loved watching Defiance baseball and basketball games.

She was known for her kindness and being friends to all. She was the neighborhood mom to so many of the kids in her neighborhood, later taking on the responsibilities of being in charge of “Booty’s Basement” where her son’s friends gathered for music, sports and cards. She was known for her ability to remember names and places of events from the past. She had a love for music, especially Big Band, 40s, 50s and Christmas music. Living with her son and daughter-in-law the past 15 years, she also learned to love 60s, 70s, Americana and folk-rock music. Cooking, especially at holiday gatherings, was very special to Ginny, who also had a fondness for gardening, lighthouses and stained glass birds as well as watching Westerns, old television shows and cooking shows.

Volunteer work was important to Ginny. She was a long-time worker at the Sauerkraut Supper at St. John Lutheran and helped at the hospital thrift shop. She was a member of Ladies Aid at St. John, a former girl scout leader, was in a pinochle card club, enjoyed being a member of the Cotillion Dance Club with her husband and helped form the “Gang of Eight”, a group of eight classmates that hung out together for more than half a century after graduation.

Happiness with plenty of laughs came in the last month of her life with numerous visits from family and friends, as well as FaceTime calls with family members out of town reminiscing about “the good old days.”

She is survived by her son, Bruce Hefflinger and his wife Dianne, her main caregiver for the past 15 years who Ginny referred to as “the best daughter-in-law anyone could ever have.” She is also survived by a daughter, Sheri Cereghin (Mark Hostettler), grandsons, Dylan Hefflinger, Ben Kroeckel (Melinda), Jamie Cereghin (Kylee) and Brian Cereghin, granddaughters, Jennifer Weisenburger (Craig) and Kelly Kroeckel (Andrae Richardson) as well as 22 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother Gene Bowers, great granddaughter Kiera Duncan and great-great granddaughter Azura Yant.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 10:30 am at St. John Lutheran Church, Defiance, with Pastor Kurt Mews officiating. There will be an hour of visitation at the church prior to the service. Burial will take place at Riverview Memory Gardens.

Memorials should be made to St. John Lutheran Church, St. John Lutheran Sunday Morning Broadcast or Ohioans Home, Health and Hospice.

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