Marjorie May (Heim) Fithian

She was born on May 25,1931 to Viva Garnetta Lyons Heim and Linden Emerson Heim in Pawnee City, Nebraska.

Marj and her sisters Dorothy and Evelyn grew up on a farm in Dawson, Nebraska. They helped their parents, doing daily chores with the animals, in the fields, and in their home. She had a stellar work ethic.

She attended Dawson High and could be found at her grandmother’s house after school nearly every day. Marj was a good student and played on the volleyball team. She loved music and played the piano and violin. She sang competitively in the “Heim Family Trio” with her cousins, Phyllis and Frances Heim. Marj graduated from high school in 1949 and went on to Peru State Teacher’s College where she met her late husband, Floyd James Fithian. He noticed her on the volleyball court, and she served him extra mashed potatoes in the cafeteria!

After she earned a degree in Education, she taught third and fourth grade students, and Floyd joined the US Navy. They fell in love writing letters to each other.

They married November 1, 1952, at Dawson Methodist Church and departed the next day for Hawaii, where Floyd was stationed. Marj’s wedding gown, made by her sister Dorothy, is displayed in the Heim Family Museum in Dawson.

Marj tutored students of military families in Quonset huts in Barber’s Point, Oahu.

Marj and Floyd had three children. Their first child, Cindy Jean Fithian, was born in Honolulu in 1954. Their next move took them to Bellflower, CA where Judy Louise Fithian was born in 1958. John Floyd Fithian was born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1961.

In 1963, the family moved to a farm outside of Lafayette, Indiana when Floyd began teaching at Purdue University. When he got involved in politics and ran for Congress, Marj wanted to help campaign, but she was self-conscious about “interrupting folks” at county fairs, fish fry events, coffees and union halls. She asked the staff if she could get something useful to hand out to people that they would want to keep – and the “Fithian for Congress” emery board was created!

Marj was faithful and known for her gentle spirit, kindness, joyful personality and love of nature. She was the family’s environmentalist and ornithologist. Marj was an active member of Little River United Church of Christ for decades, having joined in 1980. She taught Sunday School and served on committees.

Marj Fithian loved her children, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren unconditionally. She was always positive, encouraging and could see the “silver lining” in any situation. They all love her dearly and miss her. We take solace in knowing that she is in heaven.

Marj Fithian is survived by her sister-in-law Violet Fithian Lytle, her children Cindy Fithian, Judy (Matt) Heuss and John (Maria Gagani) Fithian; grandchildren Chapin (Kelly) Hanna, Rachel (Josh) Snodgrass, Zach (Claire Bea) Fithian, Daniel (Sally) Heuss, Travis Hanna, Alex Fithian, Elizabeth (JR) Gray and Ellie Fithian; and great-grandchildren AJ and Nesta Hanna, Hailey and Madison Snodgrass, Mabel and Lucy Heuss, and Abigail Gray. Josiah Gray is with Great Grandma Marj in heaven. Many nieces and nephews and their families also miss Aunt Marj. Many friends will also miss Marj.

The family of Marj Fithian wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers at Greenspring Village where Marj resided for 26 years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Little River United Church of Christ at 8410 Little River Turnpike, Woodburn, VA 22003. Please designate Marj Fithian in the memo line. The funds will assist the social justice mission and music committee.