Joseph Edward Heaton

Joseph Edward Heaton, 94, of Dixon, Illinois, passed away on January 22, 2014, at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, Illinois, after a long and full life. Joe was born on June 24, 1919, the son of Homer and Florence (Ryan) Heaton. He grew up in Rock Falls, Illinois and the nearby Village of Nelson. He graduated from Rock Falls High School in 1938 and went on to college at Northern Illinois University where he was a four-year standout on its varsity track team. After graduating from Northern in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended the University of Notre Dame for officer training and, subsequently, the University of California at Berkley for advanced engineering training. During WWII he was stationed in the South Pacific serving as a Lieutenant and an engineering officer on both a naval destroyer and a mine sweeper. While at Northern Illinois University, he met Mary Elizabeth Elmer (Bette) of Rochelle, Illinois, whom he married in February 1944. Following his discharge from the Navy, he and Bette moved to Dixon where they raised their family of three children, Julie, Jock and Jim. Joe worked as a sales manager for both Pillsbury Foods and Supersweet Feeds until he retired in 1975. While in Dixon, he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Dixon and also served on the boards of both the Dixon Park District and Sauk Valley College. In 1976, Bette and Joe began wintering in Vero Beach, Florida, where they loved to walk on the beach and enjoyed viewing wildlife and fishing while boating on the Indian River. Bette passed away in May 1985. In August 1990, Joe married Lois Carmack of Vero Beach. Joe was also preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Heaton Dimitri; his daughter-in-law, Cindy Heaton; his brother, Wilson "Bill" Heaton; and sisters Marian Mooney and Betty Joseph Hill. He is survived by his wife, Lois; his two sons, Jock (Mary Jo) Heaton of Dixon and Jim Heaton of Atlanta, GA; his son-in-law, George Dimitri of Chicago, IL; his step-daughter, Susie Dabney of Lancaster, PA; his ten grandchildren: Jon (Christy) Heaton of Winnetka, IL; Beth (Eric) Seling of New Orleans, LA; Sarah (Jordan) Miller of Denver, CO; Ellen (Danny) Fritts of Chicago, IL; Michel (Caroline) Dimitri and Jamie Dimitri both of New York, NY; Dana Dimitri of Chicago, IL; Hadley (Matt) Abernethy of Atlanta, GA; Alex Heaton and Austin Heaton also of Atlanta, GA; his step-granddaughter, Claire Dabney of Lancaster, PA; and seven great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all. A private service for the family will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Dixon, 110 E. Third St., Dixon, IL 61021, and to Serenity Hospice and Home, 1658 S. Illinois Route 2, Oregon, IL 61061,

Joseph Edward Heaton

June 24, 1919 - January 22, 2014