Ron Duane Hefflinger's Obituary
Ron "Beaut" Duane Hefflinger, 78, of Liberty Center, passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at home with his family by his side. Born in Toledo, he was the son of the late Russell and Naida (Ellinwood) Hefflinger. He did a great many things in his working years, starting with farming, which he started to do at 11 when his parents gave him an Allis WC for his birthday. He attended Toledo Barber College out of high school and went on to own his own barber shops in Weston and Haskins, Ohio. After barbering he worked in sales, farming, auctioneered, drove school bus and truck, and was the superintendent for the Henry County Ohio Department of Transportation for many years. An avid sports lover, he didn't stop at high school athletics and enjoyed several adult years playing Liberty Center old-timer football and slow pitch softball until he was 40 years old. He was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Browns (WOOF WOOF), the Cleveland Indians (Guardians), Ohio State Football and there wasn't a day that went by some game wasn't on the television. Some may know him as "AJ", a nickname given to him by his "bus kids" in the 80s. The trip from Liberty Center to Four County was always a wild ride when he was driving. He pulled tractors for many years and had a passion for all things Allis Chalmers. It was his D-17, among others, that helped him bring home several wins and the ol'girl still does all the farmyard mowing to this day. He held the record of nine years for consecutive first place wins at the Henry County Ohio Fair. He could tell a joke like no other and was one of the best story tellers around. He was a huge animal lover. Feeding, watching, and identifying birds was one of his favorite activities toward the end.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 21 years, Jean "Mama Jean" (Krebs) Hefflinger; children, Curt (Kandy) Hefflinger of Defiance, Kristi (Jim) Saman of Ridgeville Corners, Chevas (Dan Steinman) Hefflinger of Woodburn, IN, and Kade Hefflinger of Liberty Center; sister, Connie (Marv) Stoll of Wauseon; grandchildren, Amanda (Thomas) Lester, Travis, Kasey, and Ariel Hefflinger, Tanner and Brady Blair, and Kole Hefflinger; great grandson, Dakota "Doc" Hefflinger; many cousins; more friends than can be named; and his beloved dogs, Zeldy and Lil. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Darris Lynn Hefflinger in 1936.
Celebration of Life is 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 8, 2024, at The Farm, 6360 County Road R2, Liberty Center. Come and give Ron a proper goodbye. Please bring a lawn chair. Preferred memorials are to Natures Nursery, Whitehouse, Ohio. https://natures-nursery.org/donate/
For online condolences please visit www.harperfuneralhome.com.
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