Kenneth Heatwole

Kenneth Martin Heatwole, 99, a resident of Harrisonburg, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026 at the Harman House at VMRC.

Dr. Heatwole was born on January 1, 1927 in Waynesboro, VA and was a son of the late Elmer Jason and Fannie Marie Martin Heatwole.

Kenneth, always a scholar, graduated from high school at age 16 in 1943. He went on to pursue a degree in Biblical Studies, graduating from Goshen College (Indiana) in 1946. The next year he obtained a Theology degree from Goshen Biblical Seminary (now AMBS). Then in 1951, he graduated with his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia. He spent his working career as a thoracic physician with Blue Ridge Hospital in Charlottesville, Va.

Kenneth used his biblical training as a long-time volunteer associate pastor and founding member of Charlottesville Mennonite Church and later became a member of Harrisonburg Mennonite Church where he served on the Creation Care team.

He was a competitive game player, and world traveler. He loved gardening, camping, observing nighttime constellations, and spending time with his family. With his wife Ruth at his side, they entertained hundreds of family, friends, students, and church members in their home.

On June 12, 1948, he married Ruth Marie Kreider Heatwole who preceded him in death on March 8, 2020.

Surviving are his children, Lawrence “Larry” Heatwole of Rockingham, Carolyn Heatwole Nuckols (Eddie) of Waynesboro; Joanne Ruth Heatwole Billups of Charlottesville; brothers, Harold Franklin Heatwole (Sue) of Australia, Stanley Elmer Heatwole of Staunton; grandchildren, Benjamin Heatwole, Elizabeth Beemiller, Cathy Cheek, Wilmer Collier, Shane Woodson, Stephanie Wood, Victoria Billups; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, Dr. Heatwole was preceded in death by a son, Don Kenneth Heatwole; daughters-in-law, Shirely Ann Heatwole, Wanda Johnson Heatwole; sister, Louise Miller and her husband John; sisters-in-law Linda Curry Heatwole, Audry Yoder Heatwole; and a grandson, Jason Thomas Woodson.

Pastor Craig Maven will conduct a memorial service on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church at 3 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mcmullenfh.com.

McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.