Marcella Jane Heath
Marcella “Marci” Jane Health, née Lehman, daughter of George and Cecil Kerrick, a beloved mother, stepmother and dedicated educator, passed away on April 18, 2025, in Wilburton, Oklahoma, at the age of 87. Born on July 13, 1937, in Wichita, Kansas, Marci lived a full and vibrant life marked by her early involvement in youth organizations, her passion for teaching, her entrepreneurial spirit, her resourcefulness, her devotion to family, and her deep faith.
She is preceded in death by her husband James, who passed away in 2021.
Marci’s memory will be cherished by her three adult children, LeNore Kerber of Lafayette, Colorado; Lisa Goddard of Wilburton, Oklahoma; and Bernie Lehman of Aurora, Colorado; her two adult stepdaughters, Susan Heath of Denver, Colorado and Maggie Neeley of Doniphan, Missouri; and their families of eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Growing up in Wichita, Marci graduated from North High School. During her teenage years, she was an active member of both the International Order of Rainbow for Girls and Job’s Daughters International, experiences that instilled in her a lifelong commitment to service and community.
Marci pursued a college degree in education. For 30 years, she shared her love of numbers with countless students as a junior high school math teacher, leaving a lasting impact on their lives. Beyond the classroom, Marci was a successful Mary Kay consultant, demonstrating her drive and connecting with many people. Notably, as an adult, Marci also demonstrated her ingenuity by architecting, designing, and helping to build an addition onto the family home, showcasing her practical skills and vision. She continued her involvement in fraternal organizations as an adult, participating in the Order of the Eastern Star.
Marci was very active in her churches throughout her life. She often shared her beautiful voice by singing in the church choir and volunteered her time to help print the bulletins. Her passion for music and her faith were evident in her long-time participation in the Presbyterian church choirs in Wichita, Denver, Arvada and San Manuel.
Known for her generous and helpful spirit, Marci was always there to assist people in numerous ways, extending her kindness through many acts such as helping the homeless. She was also readily willing to lend a hand with various tasks around the church at any time. In her later years, she returned to her church roots and became an active member of the Methodist church in Wilburton. After her retirement, Marci and her husband, James Heath, enjoyed 30 wonderful years in San Manuel.
Services for Marci will begin Friday, April 25, with a viewing at Jones-Harkins Funeral Home in Wilburton, Oklahoma from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Graveside service will be held at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Wichita, Kansas at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 28.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Marci’s name be made to the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, an organization close to her heart from her formative years. Donations can be made at gorainbow.org/donate.