Lois M. Heckathorn

Lois M. Heckathorn, 88, of Oil City, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, February 19, 2026 at Oakwood Heights Village.

She was born in Oil City on December 28, 1937; a daughter of the late Victor and Evadene (Clark) Foreman.

She was a 1956 graduate of Oil City High School. 

On June 14, 1958, Lois was married by the late Rev. Arthur Crawford in Grace United Methodist Church to Eugene C. “Gene” Heckathorn Jr., and he preceded her in death on January 29, 2024.

She was a member of the former Oil City Nazarene Church.

Lois and Gene were members of the Forest Area Crafters, and enjoyed making and selling their handmade wooden crafts at various craft shows in the area. 

Lois enjoyed spending time on her computer, woodcrafts, knitting and crocheting items for friends and family, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She loved hummingbirds and had a love for animals. 

She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Exley and her husband Robert of Oil City, a son, Clair Heckathorn of Franklin; four grandchildren: Ben Davis and his wife Lesa of Richmond, Kentucky, Beth Uckert and her husband Matt of Clarion, Amber Freehan and her husband Josh of Oil City, and Lindsey Schwab and her husband Tyler of Oil City; and her great-grandchildren: Holly Welch of Richmond, KY, Thomas, Jackson, and Caleb Uckert of Clarion, Ethan and Grace Freehan, and Landon, Audrey, Grant, and Bradley Schwab, all of Oil City.

Lois is also survived by her sister-in-law, Joanne Heckathorn of Seneca; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Willadene Vogan; and a brother-in-law, Guy Heckathorn. 

Visitation for friends and family will be held Thursday (Feb. 26) from 4 – 6 p.m. in Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, where a funeral service will follow Thursday at 6 p.m., with Pastor Bill Hopkins, officiating. 

Private interment will be made in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Reno Volunteer Fire Dept., 10 4th St., Reno, PA  16343

Her family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the nurses and staff at Oakwood Heights, especially her girls, Laurie and Tammy; as well as to AseraCare Hospice for their care and compassion in her final week. 

To express online condolences to the family, please visit www.hilebest.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lois M. Heckathorn, please visit our floral store.