Ruth Ann DeVoe

Ruth Ann (Heckman) DeVoe, 62, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2022 at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis. She fought tenaciously against breast cancer in a battle that spanned nine years, consistently defying the expectations of her doctors. They don’t make nails as tough as Ruth. She will be greatly missed.

Born August 9, 1959 in America’s original “small town” of Seymour, IN, Ruth Ann was the youngest of seven siblings of Charles and Ruth (Diggs) Heckman. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, White Creek. Ruth graduated from Seymour High School in 1977, where she thrived as a proud member of the Dramatics Club and Thespians Society.

After graduation, Ruth went on to earn a Bachelors in Business from Indiana University in 1982, and received her MBA from Butler University in 1994. Sharp and technically savvy, she pursued a successful career in IT and computing. Ruth loved her profession and adored her colleagues at Covance (Labcorp), where she worked for the past 12 years. In her private life, she enjoyed collecting antiques, reading, musicals, traveling, animals, knitting, trivia nights, and was an avid basketball fan.

Ruth will be remembered as a resilient, adventurous woman who valued wit and humor.
She left us with a smile on her face and a joke on the tip of her tongue.

Ruth is survived by her two sons Benjamin DeVoe and Andrew DeVoe; brothers Michael Heckman and Ronald Heckman; sister Linda Penner. She is also survived by nieces Stacey Waskom, Kristi Heckman, Kelli Heckman, Michelle Heckman, Jennifer Penner and Julie Meadors; nephews Todd Heckman, Scott Heckman and Curtis Penner; friend and confidant Howard Marer; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents; brother Russell Heckman; sisters Charlene Meadors and Cheryl A. Heckman; sister-in-law Cheryl J. Heckman; nephew Timothy Meadors; and great-niece, Adria Waskom.

A Celebration of Life will be held between the hours of 2:00-5:00 pm on Sunday, July 31 at 7727 Mystic Bay Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Friends and family are all welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (bcrf.org).