Heather Cobie Merkle, 52, of Dublin, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2024, after an inspiring three and a half year battle with ALS.
Heather was born on July 31, 1972, to Nancy and Bob Cobie (1941-2021) in Dearborn, Michigan. At a young age, the family moved to Alamo, CA, where Heather made lifelong friends as she grew up in “the golden hills” of California’s San Francisco East Bay area.
Prior to her starting high school, Heather’s family relocated to Ohio, where Heather attended Bellefontaine High School. As a Chieftain, Heather excelled academically, enjoyed being Bellefontaine’s “California Girl” and dabbled in comedy/horror film cinematography with her neighborhood friends. Fortunately, she also discovered her talent for and love of Cross Country running. She won many meets over her four-year career and qualified for the Ohio High School State Championship her sophomore and senior years.
Heather then set her sights on Miami University and a degree in Education. During her four years in Oxford, Heather became a sister in Kappa Delta Sorority, graduated Cum Laude from the School of Education and made the fateful decision to go on a second date with her future husband, Rob, after a “questionable” movie choice for their first date could have derailed what became a 32+ year love affair.
Heather and Rob married in June 1995. Heather started teaching fourth grade the following fall. To quote her principal from that time, “She was dedicated to doing great things for her students and families and will be remembered for expertise and excellence towards her profession. She positively touched so many children and families! Great person, outstanding educator!”
As a testament to her drive for excellence, in just her third year of teaching, Heather received the “Golden Shamrock,” Dublin Schools’ top award for excellence in education. And while accomplishing all this, she also earned her Master of Arts in Education from The Ohio State University.
When a promotion for Rob led them to Phoenix, Heather decided to try something different and went to work for Charles Schwab as a stockbroker, and in her usual fashion, passed the Series 7 exam in short order with high marks. However, on their return to Ohio, Heather was called back to the classroom, where she continued to positively impact students until after the birth of her twin sons, Ethan and Evan in 2005. After a final year in the classroom, Heather knew her family should be her full-time occupation.
