Zelda Heintzelman Obituary

Zelda L. Heintzelman, of Warsaw, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Mason Health and Rehabilitation Center, at the age of 96.

She was born on May 30, 1929, in Claypool, Indiana, to Oscar and Bertha (Spencer) Slusher and was one of thirteen children. She graduated from Pierceton High School and married at the age of nineteen and by the time she was twenty, she had welcomed the first of her three children.

Zelda was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a faithful participant at the YMCA, where she enthusiastically attended exercise classes-often expressing her frustration with the instructor when the pace moved faster than she preferred. She enjoyed driving her fancy Buick automobiles, was an active square dancer, and had a lifelong love of card games, especially euchre. Known proudly as a beer-drinking enthusiast, Zelda also had a deep affection for her many pets, both cats and dogs.

Never one to go anywhere without her purse, Zelda kept it close at all times-even during her years at Mason Health and Rehabilitation Center. Her spunky, no-nonsense personality brought laughter and joy to her caregivers and nurses, who were often entertained by her sometimes ornery ways.

Zelda will be lovingly remembered by her son, Harold (JR) Heintzelman of Pierceton, Indiana; her daughter, Debra (Bill) Scott of Warsaw, Indiana; six grandchildren; and several great and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, twelve siblings, her son, Michael Heintzelman, daughter-in-law, Lena Heintzelman, and long-time companion, Bud VanWey.

Zelda's life will be celebrated with a service at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana, with Pastor Glenn Hall officiating. She will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.