Obituary of John W. Heaton
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John William Heaton, 78, of Appalachian Drive, Boone, NC, passed away Monday afternoon, December 28, 2015 at his home. Born August 14, 1937 in Banner Elk, he was a son of John and Faye Jones Heaton. John was a veteran of the US Army. Dr. Heaton was the Acquisitions Librarian at Appalachian State University from 1969 until his retirement in 1997. He was a long standing member of the education fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa, serving as an officer on both the state and national level, and was a charter member of the Boone Kiwanis Club. John was always interested in genealogy. Along with Ed Greene, he filmed many cemeteries in Watauga and Avery counties and donated copies to Belk Library and surrounding libraries to be used by anyone doing genealogical research. He also enjoyed collecting coins and stamps.
Mr. Heaton is survived by his wife, Myrna Wells Heaton; sister, Cheryl Ann Kuehn and husband, Richard, of Roan Mountain, TN; aunt, Blanche Heaton of Roan Mountain, TN; nephews, Paul Kuehn of Roan Mountain and Elliott Charles Wells of Clintwood, VA; nieces, Kimberly Ann Wells of Abingdon, VA and Kris Wells Stanley of Clintwood, VA; and brother-in-law, Weldon Charles Wells and wife, Versie of Clintwood, VA.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, December 31, at 2 PM at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. Dennis Milhorn. The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon from 1 until 2 oclock at Austin & Barnes.
Graveside services and burial will conducted Friday, January 1, at 2 PM at Pine Grove Cemetery in Clintwood, Virginia. Officiating will be Rev. John Farmer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Belk Library, in care of Andrea Gimlin, Senior Gifts Director, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, or to a charity of the donors choice. Online condolences may be shared at the website austinanabarnesfuneralhome.com