Joseph Edward Heaton Jr

DIXON - Joseph "Jock" Edward Heaton, Jr., 67, of Dixon, passed away June 27, 2017, at home surrounded by his beloved family, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Jock was born December 19, 1949, the son of Joseph and Mary Elizabeth "Bette" (Elmer) Heaton. He grew up in Dixon and attended South Central Elementary School and Madison Elementary School. He graduated from Dixon High School in 1968, where he was active in student government, sports and music. He attended Indiana University, where he was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business economics in 1972. He graduated from The John Marshall Law School with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in 1975. During his freshman year at Indiana University, he met Mary Jo Schock of Hammond, Indiana, the love of his life, who he married in August 1972. After Jock graduated from law school, he and Mary Jo returned to Dixon to pursue their careers. They made their first home in Grand Detour, and Jock began his law career at the firm of Dixon, Devine, Ray & Morin. In 1977, Jock joined Ward, Ward, Castendyck, Murray & Pace (which later became Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson), where he dedicated the next forty years of his professional career. While Jock practiced numerous areas of the law, he was especially drawn to health care, real estate and land development. For over thirty years, Jock proudly served KSB Hospital, initially as a member of the board of directors and subsequently as legal counsel. He was active in the local community, notably as a board member of The Next Picture Show, as a board member of Dixon Country Club, as an elder of First Presbyterian Church, as a member of the Lee County Bar Association, and as a member of civic organizations such as Rotary Club and Gyros. Jock's greatest joy was spending time with family. He and Mary Jo, who celebrated their 44th anniversary last August, shared a love of music, entertaining friends at their cherished homes in Dixon and Grand Detour, and taking road trips to explore new destinations. Together they raised four children - Jon, Beth, Sarah and Ellen. A devoted father, Jock dedicated his life to his children and always encouraged them to pursue their dreams and find happiness. Later in life, his joy from family grew exponentially with the arrival of nine grandchildren. In addition to his family, Jock found much happiness from the outdoors, whether fishing, hiking, boating or working in his yard, and he enjoyed a lifelong passion for golf that enriched many of his closest friendships over the years. Never having met a stranger, Jock was known for his sincere and outgoing personality and generous spirit. Jock is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; his son Jon (Christy) Heaton of Winnetka, IL; his daughter Beth (Eric) Seling of New Orleans, LA; his daughter Sarah (Jordan) Miller of Englewood, CO; his daughter Ellen (Danny) Fritts of Chicago, IL; his grandchildren, Graham Heaton, Margaret Heaton, Thomas Seling, Percelane Seling, Quinn Seling, Josephine Miller, Hadley Fritts, Emma Fritts and Edward Fritts; his brother Jim Heaton of Atlanta, GA; his brother-in-law George Dimitri of Chicago, IL; his brother-in-law Timothy (Colleen) Schock of Munster, IN; his stepmother Lois Heaton; and his nieces and nephews, Michel Dimitri, Jamie Dimitri, Dana Dimitri, Hadley (Heaton) Abernethy, Alex Heaton, Austin Heaton, Amanda (Schock) Fletcher and Alison (Schock) Eldreth. He will be greatly missed by all. Jock was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bette Heaton; his sister Julie (Heaton) Dimitri; and his sister-in-law Cindy (Stolnitz) Heaton. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday June 30, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church of Dixon, 110 E. Third St., Dixon, IL, 61021. All are welcome to visit the family from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday June 29, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church of Dixon. Jones Funeral Home in Dixon is assisting with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to: First Presbyterian Church of Dixon, IL; Serenity Hospice & Home of Oregon, IL; and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org.

Joseph Edward Heaton Jr

December 19, 1949 - June 27, 2017