Amy M. O'Hearn

Amy Marie O'Hearn, age 44, of Dayton, Ohio unexpectedly passed away on May 14, 2026.

After 20 years of service to her country, Amy retired from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)—enlisting at age 19, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Disaster and Emergency Management, attending Officer’s Candidate School (OCS) and flight school, earning her wings as a C-130 pilot, and advancing to her final rank of Lieutenant Commander. During her extensive flight school training, she was the highest-ranking officer and only woman in her graduating class, which included U.S. service members from the Air Force, Navy, and Marines, as well as the Coast Guard.

As active duty goes, Amy was deployed across the United States every three (3) years on vital water ways. From coast to coast, she saw so much of our country, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico. During her career in the U.S. Coast Guard, Amy was stationed in seven (7) different states: Oregon, California, Missouri, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. With her daughter, Kyli, at her side, Amy visited many National Parks and Historic Sites with each tour of duty.

Family was important to Amy. She was always willing to help family members whenever she could. A special joy for Amy was spending time with her young nephew, Killian.

Amy enjoyed being in nature, as well as practicing and teaching yoga. She was constantly in the pursuit of knowledge and bettering herself, receiving countless certifications throughout her life.

In high school, Amy was an accomplished athlete. She attended Chaminade-Julienne High School and played varsity softball. Although her main positions were pitcher and catcher, she was also at times a home run hitter.

Amy was a member of the Greater Dayton Rowing Association (GDRA) and the Dayton Art Institute (DAI). She was a prolific artist throughout her entire life and loved making paintings, sculptures, and mixed media creations to be enjoyed by all.

Although she experienced numerous parts of the U.S., Amy also traveled abroad to Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Morocco, Spain, Japan, and South Africa. While in South Africa, she volunteered at Cango Wildlife Ranch—being up-close and personal with various exotic animals that needed nurturing care. She was passionate about animals and made a difference in many of their lives.

Amy was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, who touched the lives of many. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Alma B. and Raymond D. Kern, and paternal grandparents, Rita J. and Robert H. O’Hearn, as well as uncles, Daniel P. O’Hearn, Martin (Marty) O’Hearn, Christopher W. O’Hearn, and great aunt Vona W. Sullivan.

Amy is survived by her daughter, Kyli O’Hearn Jones, parents, Lisa G. O’Hearn (David A. Bell) and Timothy D. (Tammy) O’Hearn, brother, Scott R. O’Hearn, nephew, Killian T. O’Hearn, and best friend/first cousin, Sarah J. O’Hearn, as well as uncles, Michael R. (Jackie) O’Hearn, Matthew C. (Brenda) O’Hearn, and Kirk L. (Jackie) Kern, aunts, Diana M. (Sam) Ferralli, Deborah A. (Tom) Putnam, and a host of cousins.

Family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3940 Kettering Blvd, Kettering, OH 45439. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, with a procession immediately following to Calvary Cemetery, 1625 Calvary Drive, Dayton, OH 45409, for military honors.

To share a memory of Amy or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.