Fish Inc. - Dunellen Area: In Memoriam
	Link to Ed Hearn's Obituary

In Memoriam: Ed Hearn

(written by Carol Papi, Fish - Dunellen Area Steering Committee Member)

Ed Hearn is the beloved husband of Juanita Hearn, one of our telephone volunteers. They were married for 56 years. He is survived by five children, their spouses, and his grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, George. Ed loved his family.

Ed was born in Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas. He was a United States Army veteran. He served during the Korean War. He worked at Dun & Bradstreet until his retirement. Ed was a Rutgers football fan.

Ed was a Southern Baptist. He was a lifelong Christian. He was a member of Raritan Valley Baptist Church in Edison, NJ since its beginnings, in the early 1960's. Ed served as Deacon, Treasurer, FISH, Inc. coordinator for 75 and 90 Neilson Streets in New Brunswick, and was on the Stewardship Team.

I met Ed Hearn in July of 1997, when I first arrived at Raritan Valley Baptist Church. From the first day I set foot in the church, I felt a warmth and love from the members that I never felt before in any other church. Ed loved the church, and served it faithfully. Ed led by example. He attended Sunday School and Wednesday night prayer and bible study regularly, until his physical condition made it too difficult for him to negotiate the stairs. He attended many deacons, business, and missions and ministries review meetings. He tithed to his church. He was a servant leader in the church up to the very day he passed away.

Ed was a father figure for many of us at the church. He was a friend. He was a person you could go to for advice when you needed help. Ed was the historian for Raritan Valley Baptist Church and FISH, Inc. He could tell you when the building was constructed, who was there, and what year it was. He had a photographic memory. He was as sharp as a tack.

Ed loved God and truly cared about the church. Ed stood up for what he believed in. He spoke to the congregation about the need to attend bible study, to tithe, and to support the church.

Ed loved the FISH program. He led our church in helping those in need of food at 75 and 90 Neilson Street in New Brunswick. He put his heart and soul into it. Our church was also the base for all of the local participating churches to bring their toys to in early December for the FISH Christmas Angel Toy Program. Ed and his daughter Cathy put a tremendous amount of time and effort to accomplish this each year. Watching them work together reminded me of Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Ed also brought me to the FISH Steering Committee meetings to prepare me for the future.

Ed referred to himself as a "traditionalist" when it came to Christian music. He was not a fan of contemporary praise songs, but in his own words, he "tolerated them." One of his favorite composers was Fanny Crosby, an amazing Christian woman who wrote over 8,000 songs, despite being blind since infancy.

Ed and Juanita Hearn opened their home to the church. They used to host "game nights" which were a great deal of fun. I also have fond memories of all of the luncheons we had at the church. Southern Baptists love good food, including Juanita's cobbler. We also had fun at the deacons/spouses dinners we all shared. One of the fondest memories I have is when Ed and Juanita, and several of the deacons and spouses attended a retreat. It was a very positive, spiritual learning experience that I will never forget.

I asked some of the older members of the church to share some of their memories. Lola Hogeland told me about how Ed used to have his children make up after a fight. He would have them stand on opposite sides of a glass door and have them kiss through the glass.

Doug Groff spoke of Ed's younger days, when Ed was in his 40's. When the church played softball, he said Ed could hit the ball way out there. He was their best hitter. Doug's son, Peter, used to run the bases for him.

Ed was tough. He was like a cat with nine lives. No matter what ailment he suffered, he always bounced back - no matter how bleak things seemed. In his final years he used a walker, despite the fact he had no cartilage left in his knees. He was a survivor. Sadly, we lost him on February 4, 2010. When he passed away into eternal life, he was surrounded by his loving family. I am comforted with the knowledge that he went to the glorious place God prepared for him in heaven. I thank God for bring Ed Hearn into my life.

Well done, good and faithful servant.